Articles: Organic Inoculants
What are Bio-Stimulants & Bio-Inoculants?
Bio-Stimulants, by our definition, are catalytic agents that promote the
healthy growth of positive soil microorganisms. Examples will include
Molasses, Humates, Fish, Seaweed, and Organic Fertilizers.
Bio-Inoculates, by definition are dormant strains of positive soil
microorganisms that come alive when introduced into the soil system.
Examples will include MicorGro, Compost, Microlife, and Compost starters.
The use of Bio-Stimulants and Bio-Inoculants is kind of a nebulous
concept. We are asked to believe that as little as one quart of these
agents spread over an entire acre can make a difference, yet that is
apparently what happens. Time and time again in University, Agriculture
and Landscape trials, these agents have proven to boost productivity in
plants, increase plant resistance to stress, insects and disease, and to
improve soils.
The purpose of soil microorganisms is to help the soil achieve a healthy
state of equilibrium and we regard soil as a complex, ever-changing
biological equilibrium composed of organic matter, minerals and soil life.
Soil life consists of bacteria, fungi, molds, yeast, protozoa, algae,
worms, insects and other minute organisms, which live, mostly in the top
few inches. This mass of living creatures, the eaters and the eaten, add
up to incredible numbers.
Each one of these life forms performs highly specialized roles. Many
microorganisms digest organic matter and then make it available in the
form of nutrients to the plant. Other microorganisms eat harmful
pathogens, like certain plant destroying fungi and nematodes. All these
creatures when they die (some live no longer than 20 minutes) release
plant nutrients through the decomposition. Some microorganisms fix
Nitrogen from the atmosphere and make it available to the plants.
Others, such as certain bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes secrete
plant-protecting antibiotics.
All these microorganisms improve the soil by aerating, changing the soil
structure in a positive way, increasing fertility, removing toxins, add
organic matter to the soil. As your soils improve so do your plants.
