b"Healthy Soil Microbes Create Healthy Soil, Grow Healthy Crops, and Increase Yield PotentialSOIL IS ONE OFthe most important resources for growinga virulent pathogen. Beneficial microbes create an unconducive crops. Your soil contains a host of beneficial microbesa com- environment for pathogens and produce compounds to help munity of microorganisms. These beneficial microbes are anprotect plants from disease and pests, creating disease-suppres-integral part of your farms ecosystem. They impact soil health,sive soils (DSS). plant health, and farm return on investment.Improves fertilizer results. Just because youve added syn-Here are some ways soil microbes improve your soil and, inthetic or organic fertilizer doesnt mean your crops are able to turn, impact plant health for higher yield potential.access the nutrients. Improving soil biology and optimizing soil Improves nutrient uptake. Microbes play a key role in increas- health can positively influence fertilizer use efficiency (more yield ing nutrient availability needed for plant growth. For example,per unit of fertilizer applied). Different members of the soil micro-some bacteria can fix nitrogen, making it plant-available for cropbiome can contribute directly to plant nutrient availability. Some uptake. Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic relationship with plantmicrobes aid in the release of tied-up compost or manure-based roots. The fungi provide the plant with nutrients such as phos- nutrients. Some microbes have the ability to make more nitrogen phorus and nitrogen in exchange for carbohydrates produced byavailable from the air or have chemical machinery to make phos-the plant. phorus or potassium more plant-available. Improves soil structure. Beneficial microbes create gluesImproves your crop residue breakdown, without tillage. Turn and nets below the ground that are key in creating a great soillast years crop residue into nutrients for next years crops by structure. Fungi create a network of nets underground throughusing soil microbes to break down residue. Crop residue decom-extensions called hyphae. Bacteria secrete glue-like substancesposition is largely controlled by biological processes influenced called extracellular polysaccharides, allowing soil particles toby environmental and soil conditions. Crop residue is composed bind together. These glues and nets create soil aggregates andof cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, and nutrients. Microbes are promote soil structure which gives the soil optimal water-holdingkey in the decomposition process, as microbes release enzymes capacity, increases aeration, and improves crop productivity.and exudates to break down these components. This regenera-Improves water-holding capacity and infiltration. The gluestive agriculture practice can provide nutrients back to the soil, a and nets improve water-holding capacity and water infiltra- generous return on investment, and can also help you avoid soil tion. By improving your soils water management, you can alsocompaction. improve your crop drought tolerance. Fields that lose precipita- You can support your microbiome by adopting soil health tion and irrigation water via runoff or evaporation cant expect tomanagement practices like reducing tillage, adding cover crops, provide crops with the moisture retention they need.maximizing the period of living root growth, maximizing plant Improves disease resistance. To attack crops, soil-bornediversity, and feeding your soil microbes a carbon product. Start diseases need a conducive environment, a susceptible host, andwith a soil test to determine your soil's diversity and abundance of microbes.75% of beneficial microbes in farm soils are dormant due to starvation. A liquid microalgae food is the easiest way to wake them up and get them started to improve your soil health and crop health. By supporting the soil microbiome, you can promote healthy and productive soils, leading to higher crop yield potentials and better quality produce. CASSIDY MILLIONDIRECTOR OF AG SCIENCE OF HELIAE AGRICULTURECMillion@heliae.comphycoterra.com34/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2023"