This is the penultimate part of the soil amendment series. I will cover two more important ones in the next part. Although there are a few more, I have covered only the most important ones and the ones which are easily available and have documented verifiable results. If you want to read the earlier posts please go to :
Mycorrhizae: Mycorrhizae Fungi can improve soil quality. They do this by building the soil structure. So how do they do this? Biologically speaking, depositing mycelium and exudates in the soil help to increase microbial biomass and is also a substrate for the growth of bacteria. Basically, there is a sharp increase in good bacteria. Mycorrhizal hyphae also secrete a biological glue known as glomalin to help with the aggregation of soil particles and water stability. The compounds in the microbial soil biomass help to strengthen the attachment of soil particles. They also help to reduce water tension. Mycorrhizal hyphae also serve as a tunneling machine. They exert a considerable amount of pressure on the soil particles, forcing clay particles to mix with organic material. This leads to the formation of a micro aggregate. Creating these tunnels will increase the penetration and movement of both air and water. Also, mycorrhizal fungi promote wet-dry cycles to increase the binding of fungal exudates, roots, and clay particles. They also entangle and un-mesh soil particles, small aggregates, and organic matter. This combination helps to improve macro-aggregate formation.
Wood ash/Bio char – It has been reported that when biochar is used as a soil amendment, it stimulates soil fertility and improves soil quality by increasing soil pH, increasing the ability to retain moisture, attracting more useful fungi and other microbes, improving the ability of cation exchange, and preserving the nutrients in the soil. Biochar reduces soil density and soil hardening, increases soil aeration and cation-exchange capacity, and changes the soil structure and consistency through changes in physical and chemical properties. Basically, it returns carbon to the soil. Carbon is essential because it is the primary energy source and building block for plant tissue. It is converted through photosynthesis into simple sugars, C helps plants build starches, carbohydrates, cellulose, lignin, and protein. However, use sparingly in the soil when it is alkaline as it increases the PH of the soil quite quickly.
Next time we shall cover Diatomaceous earth and perlite/vermiculite which shall conclude the series.
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