Micro Growing Sciences (MGS)

MGS Tech Sheet Series: Soils

Step 1M-"Soil Structure"

STAGE 1-MGS RESIDUE DECOMPOSITION & SOIL BUILDING:

The decomposition of residue and the process of soil building are so interrelated in the MGS Growing Systems that both are considered inseparable as to importance. The MGS Residue Decomposition and Soil Building Program is the first stage of the MGS Growing Systems and a key factor for achieving super yield, super quality, & super net profit potential through restoring super soil structure and super soil environments conducive to super benefits from accelerated humus & carbon production. The ultimate growing goal of the MGS Growing Systems is to have every product, growing practice, growing technique, etc. directly or indirectly maintain or increase humus & carbon levels in the soil. Soil structure improvement must be given priority in the beginning stages of the soil building process because of the direct impact to "Master the Basics" as precursors for maximizing the benefits by decomposed residue. The interrelationship of every part of the MGS Total Growing Systems Approach is important for achieving the objective of the whole however due to the decline of soils over the last 50+ years when compared to normal & natural soils, Stage 1 can potentially have the greatest impact on almost every aspect of the growing processes.

SOIL ENVIRONMENT

The term “soil environment” is vague in meaning however it is used by MGS to identify the overall condition of a soil that establishes, maintains, and accelerates humus & carbon production. The overall condition of a soil to create a soil environment for increasing yields, quality, soil health, plant health, net profits, & input reductions requires 3 components: soil structure, microbial activity, & humus (carbon is actually part of the humus equation but is singled out due to MGS emphasizing the drastic shortage in many soils).

SOIL BUILDING

Soil building is a general term used by MGS for improving 3 major components that establish a proper soil environment considered to be foundational for increasing yields, quality, and net profits. Soil building in a timely manner requires accelerating the beneficial practices and avoiding the detrimental practices to a proper soil environment. Each component, in the order listed below, is a precursor to the next listed component yet all three components are interrelated to maintain soil integrity and soil health.
Soil structure: A proper soil structure is required for the proper air & water exchange to support soil & plant life. A deficiency in air & water exchanges resulting from improper soil structure is typically called soil compaction, soil density changes, etc. The lack of soil structure is not due to the lack of tillage. Soil structure depends on the flocculation of soil particles which allows the soil to "breathe". Soil flocculation depends on the proper soil chemistry of which calcium plays a major role. Calcium actually has 2 significant roles in the soil: the first is "structural calcium" for flocculation of soil particles and the second is "available calcium" for nutritional utilization and/or nutrient balance. The relationship between structural calcium and available calcium is an "either or" scenario but never a "both" scenario. The misunderstanding of each role of calcium generally causes the mismanagement of how calcium is applied. Stage 1 (Residue Decomposition & Soil Building) of the MGS Growing Systems addresses the proper calcium management for soil flocculation as a precursor to Stage 2. Stage 2 (Seed & Seedling Enhancement) is considered the second most important stage in the MGS Growing Systems due to the overwhelming “ripple” effect of soil structure on critical yield determining factors in the first 30 to 60 days from planting (including the planting operation).
Microbial life: Most microbiologists would probably agree that the result of ceasing all microbial life on the earth would cease all life on the earth. Mainstream growing systems tend to ignore the importance of microbial life to plant growth/reproduction or give priority to synthetic growing products and technologies over microbial life. This ignoring or de-prioritizing the importance and value of microbial activity has established growing practices that have reduced beneficial practices and increased detrimental practices to microbial activity. Soil structure as related to proper air & water exchange is required as part of the environment that supports high levels of beneficial microbial life in the aerobic zone of the soil.
Humus: Humus is the soil environment that includes proper soil structure and high levels of microbial life. High levels of microbial life allow a higher efficiency for nutrient utilization by plants via plant roots. In general terms, organic matter is residue in the process of becoming humus. Humus is the remains of dead microbes after completing the recycling process. The advantages of increasing humus levels in the soil can be significant for reducing input costs.

SOIL STRUCTURE:

Soil structure is crucial for the first 2 basics on the MGS "Mastering the Basics" list. The first and the most crucial is the proper air exchange that primarily refers to the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the soil. The lack of proper air exchange dramatically affects every aspect of the growing process both directly and indirectly. The second and next crucial basic is proper water exchange that primarily refers to water movement in the soil.
Improper soil structure is a net result of abusing the carbon levels in the soil (through such practices as nitrogen over application, toxic chlorine application from 0-0-60, toxic pesticide application that reduces microbial activity, excessive/improper tillage), and a chemistry imbalance on the soil colloids. Tillage is a prime example of how problem solving is predicated on solving the symptoms of problems rather than the cause of problems as demonstrated by the fact that it is repeated on an annual basis. The problem solving solution for the cause of improper soil structure is to flocculate the soil particles in the soil.

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Step 1M-"Soil Building"

CONTACT MGS:

Contact MGS for learning more regarding the MGS Growing Systems, the MGS Total Systems Approach, and/or how to participate in the MGS Growing Projects or MGS Grower Training Sessions.

 

chuck@microgrowingsciences.com
(Office) 816-858-5836      816-509-4511 (Cell)

 

 

 

 

 

 

MGS Tech Sheet Series: Humus

Step 1N-"The Humus Advantage"

THE HUMUS ADVANTAGE:

The advent of synthetic products and genetic technologies has progressed at the expense of losing the advantages of soils with a deep profile of humus (8"+). On the flip side, much like “what came first” in the egg and chicken controversy, the loss of humus in the soul profile has necessitated the need for synthetic products and genetic technologies. The humus controversy is much clearer. The desire for producers to produce higher yields combined with the desire to simplify crop production, in part, led to the pursuit of crop production without maintaining and/or accelerating humus levels in soils whether using inorganic (synthetic), organic (natural), and integrated (combining inorganic & organic) production practices.

HUMUS DECLINE:

It is very safe to assume that present day soil structure, microbial activity, and humus/carbon (carbon is actually part of the humus equation but is singled out due to MGS emphasizing the drastic shortage in many soils) levels in most fields used for some type of grain, vegetable, fruit, nut, or forage production are in a constant state of decline. Producers became distracted from the importance of organic compound cycling when it was discovered that soluble acidic base N-P-K "fertilizers" could stimulate plant growth. The continued use over many years of these acidic fertilizers in the absence of adequate humic substances in the soil to offset the decline of humus levels has increased production expenses to achieve acceptable yield levels. Therefore, a primary objective of the MGS Growing Systems is to manage the soil in order to maintain and/or increase humus levels which includes the aerobic zone of the soil profile (the area where most feeder roots extract nutrients for plant growth/reproduction regardless of the production practice). The soil management practices & techniques for increasing humus/carbon levels are directly related to the MGS Residue Decomposition & Soil Building Program and indirectly related to every other aspect of the MGS Growing Systems. For example: While increasing root mass without yield increases would seem a waste of time & money for short term profitability, the additional root mass from just a seedling treatment (up to 25% in some cases) is very significant for providing additional residue to eventually be recycled into humus.

HUMIC & CARBON BUILDING BLOCKS:

Humic substances such as organic matter, humus, humates, humic acid, and fulvic acid play a vital role in soil fertility and plant nutrition. They are the building blocks of fertile soils and healthy plants. The value of humic substances in soil fertility and plant nutrition relates to the many normal, natural, and necessary functions these complex organic compounds perform as a part of the life cycle on earth. The soil management practices & techniques for building humus must be integrated as a systems approach. The shortfall or the excess of the correct management practices & techniques can turn a cost-efficient program into an expensive waste of resources.

HUMUS BUILDING PRACTICES:

The value of building humus in the soil must include evaluating costs vs. benefits, the ability to manage the total growing system to achieve desired benefits, and assessing the status of the soil structure, microbial activity, & nutrients available for nutrients utilization (as distinguished from acid extracted nutrients or water soluble nutrients on typical soil tests). The producer must then determine the influence of past, present, and potential growing practices on the effectiveness of various products and methods for improving humus levels.
MGS suggests that the value and speed of soil building practices be evaluated by 7 business guidelines for making decisions: (a). Minimizes risk factors, (b). Maximizes labor efficiency, (c). Increases energy efficiency, (d). Reduces cash flow requirements, (e). Increases business assets, (f). Promotes higher levels of health for end products/end users, and (g). Reduces environmental & health concerns of products.

SUMMARY OF HUMUS BENEFITS:

From research and analysis published by various universities:
~~Provides a conducive environment for beneficial microbes
~~Enhances N, P, K, and other nutrient uptake
~~Aids in the decomposition of soil minerals by forming metal-clay-organic processes
~~Improves the soil’s water holding capacity
~~Loosens the soil structure
~~Aids in the degradation or inactivation of toxic substances
~~Buffers soil pH
~~Liberates CO2 needed for photosynthesis
~~Stabilizes soil temperatures
~~Reduces water evaporation
~~Reduces leaching of trace elements
~~Increases seed germination and seedling development
~~Accelerates root growth
~~Increases the uptake of the high-energy adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) within the plant cell
~~Increases yield & quality directly and indirectly
~~Increases the permeability of nutrients back and forth through the cell wall
~~Speeds up the plant’s metabolism
~~Enhances the chlorophyll content of leaves

HUMUS BENEFITS AS PER MGS GROWING STAGES:

The benefits of humic substances for building soil humus are recognized by most soil scientists and agronomists as the most important components of a healthy soil. The following information, based on published scientific data, illustrates the functions and beneficial results of humic substances in the soil.
STAGE 1: MGS Residue Decomposition & Soil Building
~~~Humic substances are a good source of energy for beneficial organisms.
~~~Humic substances aid in the decomposition of soil minerals by forming metal-organic-clay complexes, as a process termed soil genesis.
~~~Humus functions to improve soil’s water holding capacity.
~~~Humic substances are key components of a friable (loose) soil structure. ~~~Degradation or inactivation of toxic substances is mediated by humic substances. ~~~Humic substances buffer (neutralize) the soil pH and liberate carbon dioxide.
~~~Soil temperatures and water evaporation rates are stabilized by humic substances.
~~~Electrostatic attraction of trace minerals reduces leaching into the subsoil.
~~~Soils severely damaged by excessive use of acidic fertilizers or pesticides generally respond slowly the first year. ~~~Stored energy and trace mineral content of humic substances help sustain soil organisms involved in transmutation. STAGE 2: Seed & Seedling Enhancement
~~~The absorption of humic substances into seeds has a positive influence on seed germination and seedling development.
~~~Humic substances have a very pronounced influence on the growth of plant roots.
~~~Side dress applications of commercial liquid humic acids and fulvic acids to soils during crop production result in direct root uptake.

 

STAGE 3: Early Plant Yield Development
~~~Humic substances increase production of high-energy adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within plant cells. ~~~Uptake of major plant nutrients is mediated by humic substances. ~~~Humic acids and fulvic acids are excellent foliar fertilizer carriers and activators.
~~~Side dress applications of commercial liquid humic acids and fulvic acids to soils during crop production result in direct root uptake.

 

STAGE 4: Late Plant Yield & Quality Production
~~~Humic substances increase production of high-energy adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within plant cells. ~~~Application of humate based dry or liquid fertilizers can increase production and improve product quality.
~~~Plant growth is influenced directly and indirectly by humic substances. ~~~Uptake of major plant nutrients is mediated by humic substances. ~~~Humic acids and fulvic acids are excellent foliar fertilizer carriers and activators.
~~~Humic acids and fulvic acids have direct effects on plant cell membranes. ~~~Side dress applications of commercial liquid humic acids and fulvic acids to soils during crop production result in direct root uptake.
~~~Energy metabolism is accelerated and chlorophyll content of plant leaves is enhanced by the presence of humic substances.

PRIMARY COMPONENTS NEEDED BY MICROBES TO PRODUCE HUMUS:

~~Residues (starches & sugars) ~~Moisture ~~Air (exchange of free oxygen & CO2) ~~Adequate temperatures ~~Enzymes

~~Calcium & trace elements ~~Sulfur ~~Phosphorus ~~Carbon ~~Nitrogen

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Step 1N: "The Humus Advantage"

CONTACT MGS:

Contact MGS for learning more regarding the MGS Growing Systems, the MGS Total Systems Approach, and/or how to participate in the MGS Growing Projects or MGS Grower Training Sessions.

 

chuck@microgrowingsciences.com
(Office) 816-858-5836      816-509-4511 (Cell)

 

 

 

 

 

 

MGS Tech Sheet Series: Humus

Step 1O: "The Humus Story"

THE DECLINE OF HUMUS:

The decline of soils for agriculture production is the decline of humus which also includes the decline of carbon levels in the soil. This decline has been documented in long term soil research at major ag universities, which in part, has been attributed to the increase in disease & insect stresses for plant growing processes i.e. increase in costs & risks for reducing disease & insect stresses. The mainstream growing practices for obvious reasons of simplicity and convenience have ignored or deliberately chosen alternative methods for the reasons of financial gain and dependency to replace the value of humus and carbon levels. The pattern for the decline of soils or humus follows the illustration of how to cook a frog in a pan of water. If the frog is dropped into a boiling pan of water, the frog will immediately jump to avoid the danger. On the other hand, if the frog is placed in the same pan with water that favors its metabolism, it will get comfortable and do nothing as the water then begins to slowly heat up until the frog is cooked to death. This can be understood from the human perspective as the body acclimates to using hotter and hotter water to soak an ailment. The body acclimates to the hotter water and then can acclimate to even hotter water on a gradual increase.
The decline of humus has become similar to the “cooking to death” which has literally been the slow burning (otherwise known as oxidation) of humus. Producers get comfortable with the simplicity and convenience of those farming practices as humus is slowly oxidized or burned up. The slow process of oxidizing humus is easily considered normal by succeeding generation and the increase of related problems are easily excused by blaming the weather or "Mother Nature". Similar to the frog being dropped into boiling water the producer would have rejected the complete reduction of humus had it occurred immediately because the missing benefits would have been noticed immediately (along with a dramatic increase in costs to offset the lack of humus benefits). As the oxidation of humus has gradually continued to increase, the mainstream mindset views the direct correlation of humus to the potential of super yields, super quality, super soil health, super plant health, super net profits and growing input reductions as either antiquated or simply not possible so humus continues to be slowly "cooking to death”. Ironically the rebuilding of proper soil structure and humus (including carbon) produces the benefits that solve many mainstream growing problems such as compaction, soil crusting, side wall compaction in the seed trench, seed to soil contact, moisture retention, restricted root extension, unavailable nutrients, high levels of disease and insect pressures, etc. just to mention some of the correctable problems.

OXIDATION:

Oxidation is another term for a slow burning process whereas a fire is a fast burning process. Negative oxidation is when oxidation takes place faster than the replacement of what is being oxidized. Negative oxidation in soils is the net result of oxidizing humus faster than the rate of replacing humus as part of the normal and natural growing process. Main stream growing practices typically have a gradual negative oxidation effect on humus with modern day growing practices, products, and technologies.

OXIDATION FACTORS:

Nitrogen: It is very possible that synthetic nitrogen is the biggest contributor to the humus decline. The use of nitrogen, that correlates to the illustration of dropping the frog into a pan of boiling hot water as a shock treatment, goes back to World War II when the U.S. military forces used high rates of anhydrous ammonium (NH3) to burn the high rates of humus and organic matter out of the soils on the Pacific islands to make it possible for building runways solid enough to land military aircraft. After World War II, scientists discovered that the large excesses of NH3 and ammonium nitrate (used for making bombs) could be used at rates to stimulate plant growth while only burning up the soil humus at a very slow rate. Over 50 years later the gradual oxidation of humus and organic matter has played a part in destroying the majority of soils in continuous crop production.
The benefit of increased yields vs. the gradual destruction of humus has been debated for years but the possibility exists that the gradual destruction of humus can be reduced by avoiding overuse AND replacing the humus oxidized to achieve higher yields. The proper use of nitrogen, so as not to decrease yields and simultaneously increase humus levels, is one of the most crucial management aspects of successfully transitioning from mainstream growing systems to the MGS Growing Systems without affecting net profits related to yield.
KCL Fertilizer: The application of KCL (0-0-60) has a double fold detrimental effect which oxidizes humus/organic matter along with being toxic to living organisms in the soil. First, KCL at a rate of 100 lbs. per acre, is the equivalent to 100 gallons of Clorox (8% chlorine) applied per acre. Keep in mind that applying only 4 lbs. per acre of KCL is equivalent to rates (2 ppm) strong enough to kill bacteria in drinking water. Research has proven 0-0-60 to reduce soil diseases in such crops as wheat but failed to acknowledged that it (chlorine) reduces beneficial microbial activity.
Pesticides: The use of pesticides can kill or put microbes into dormancy and are antithetical to creating an environment conducive to high levels of microbial activity needed for the establishment, maintenance, and acceleration of humus. The management of pesticides is another crucial management aspect of successfully transitioning from mainstream growing systems to the MGS Growing Systems without affecting net profit. Roundup Ready technology has recently been linked to soil environments conducive for Fusarium activity in the soil such as Sudden Death Syndrome.

OVERDOSE:

As with many aspects in life it is the mismanagement (overuse in the case of agriculture) that is the basis for many problems. A simple example is the use of salt. The human body cannot function without salt (human blood has the same salinity as that of ocean water) however the overuse of salt can be poisonous (the definition of poison in many cases is simply the overuse of something in relationship to other factors).
There are many good intentions as to enhancing those factors that favor a healthy soil. However, without a systems approach and the goal to rebuild soils while simultaneously maintaining/increasing net profits, such improvements come with the sacrifice of net profits which is/should be unacceptable results. Fortunately, it is the position of MGS that it is still possible to reverse the decline of soils without sacrificing net profits not only during the transitional process but every year thereafter. The process of increasing yields is inseparable to increasing quality and net profits for successfully implementing the MGS Growing Systems. Unfortunately, the reversal process is not an overnight or one jug miracle process. The balance between continued antithetical growing practices and the transition to a conducive soil environment as per the MGS Growing Systems impacts the speed of success for the combination of yields, quality, and net profits. MGS leaves this balance to the management goals of all participating customers.

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Step 1O: "The Humus Story"

CONTACT MGS:

Contact MGS for learning more regarding the MGS Growing Systems, the MGS Total Systems Approach, and/or how to participate in the MGS Growing Projects or MGS Grower Training Sessions.

 

chuck@microgrowingsciences.com
(Office) 816-858-5836      816-509-4511 (Cell)

 

 

 

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