Our June 2015 meeting covered microscopic soil analysis of indigenous micro organisms, IMO. We discovered and identified bacteria, fungus and nematodes. I brought in my 400x microscope to easily evaluate soil fertility based on biology. We recorded this lesson on how to use a microscope to validate your natural farming.
We are essentially looking for beneficial fungus. Aerobic, oxygen loving, soil building life forms, beneficial fungus, can be identified by looking for ‘tubes’ greater than 3.5 micrometers wide and darker in color. There should be one beneficial fungus per view when soil is around 600:600 bacteria:fungus ratio, ideal for most crops.
Identifying this beneficial fungus is a key indicator of natural farming success. The idea is to get these organisms to dwell deep within our soil. Bringing life and oxygen deep into the Earth and allowing plants lots of room to grow roots. Beneficial fungus harbor beneficial bacteria and healthy levels of nematodes. Good thing they are easy to see and increase with natural farming solutions!
