Organic High Yield Agriculture document discusses techniques for delivering high quality crops while preserving soil health. It covers topics like working with soil biology, the nutrient exchange between soil and plants, essential soil elements, soil testing, plant health formation, photosynthesis, plant physiology, and application guidelines. The goal is to motivate an understanding of practices that support maximum biological potential in soils to produce nutritious foods while maintaining a healthy growing environment over seasons.

1. Organic High Yield Agriculture
~The Biologic Way~
Brought to you by Dr Christopher Robin

2. Our Goal today is to motivate you with an essential understanding of the practices and
techniques that will help you to deliver the highest quality medicine and the most
nutritious foods while preserving a healthy growing environment season after season.
TOPICS WE WILL COVER
• Working with Biology and how to reach maximum biological potential of your soils
• The Soil to Plant Exchange & the Complexities of the Cycling of Nutrients
• The Soluble & Insoluble Essential Elements (Minerals & Rock Dust)
• Soil testing for macro and micro trace mineral levels.
• Understanding protein synthesis/proteolysis
• The Functions of Soil Microbes & The Soil Food Web
• Photosynthetic Capacity & Turning Sunlight into Sugars
• Levels of Plant Health Formation of Sugars, Amino Acids, Peptides, Protein's, Lipids,
PSM’s (Plant Secondary Metabolites = Plant’s Natural Defense mechanisms)
• Formation of complete proteins in a plant as a primary means of pest resistance
• Critical Points on Influence & Epigenetics
• Basics of plant physiology, plant shape, growth characteristics & corrective measures
• Regular application guidelines for basic mineral & biological balancing
• Regenerative Farming Takes time
Soil Health = Plant Health = Human Health = Cultural & Environmental Health

3. Working With Biology
Microbes and plants share
unique relationships,
whereby one provides
something that the other
one wants, in exchange
for something that
it wants, in return.
MUTUALISM
Supporting and empowering soil life
is the key to healthy plants

4. 4
The Soil to Plant Exchange
 mineralization: organic
compounds are converted to
inorganic forms, taken in by
bacteria and then released
as available plants nutrients.
 humification: fungi
ingests dead, high-fat plant
material which is cycled
through the organism and
eventually turned into stable
humic substances

5. N2
GAS
NH4
AMMONIUM
NO2,NO3
NITRITE, NITRATE
N2O, NH3, NO
NITROUS OXIDE,
AMMONIA, NITRIC OXIDE
TERRESTRIAL N2
FIXING BACTERIA
ALL OTHER BACTERIA
& FUNGUS
PLANTS
Protozoa,
nematodes, and
micro-arthropods
eat bacteria, and
fungi then poop
out ammonium.
MINERALIZATION
NITRIFICATION (PH < 7)
DENITRIFICATION
DENITRIFICATION
N2 FIXATION
DECOMPOSITION PLANT UPTAKES N
anaerobic
bacterial enzymes
anaerobic
bacterial enzymes
anaerobic microsite bacterial
enzymes
anaerobic process
ANNUALS - PERENNIALS
N CYCLE
N cycle
N AS MICROBIAL PROTEIN
Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum
PHOTOSYNTHETIC
BACTERIA
AMINO ACIDS,
PROTEINS

6. Plant Essential Elements Boron activates Silicon which carries all other nutrients
starting with Calcium which binds Nitrogen to form amino acids, DNA and cell division. Amino acids
form proteins and tag trace minerals especially Magnesium to form chlorophyll which transfers
energy via Phosphorus to Carbon to form sugars which go where Potassium carries them.

7. Components of Soil Nutrient Pools Tests used for each pool
Total Extractable
Exchangable
Soluble
Biology
Biology
Roots
Bacteria
and Fungi
Grind; Conc. Nitric
acid, combustion
10% HCl, H2NO3
Melich III
Bray 2
Amm. Cl / BaCl
Colwell
Olsen, Bray 1
Melich I
Morgan (Reams)
1 M KCl, Universal

8. Why do we care about Soluble Nutrients?
They are the forms that plants pull into the
roots through the process of simple diffusion.
The organisms in soil can make them plant
available, if the WHOLE food web is working
correctly
Conductivity - corresponds to electrical energy flow in soil. Soil energy levels need to be
sufficient for crops to have access to the nutrition needed for optimal growth.
Biological activity releases minerals into soil solution which increases conductive reading.
Why do we care about Total Nutrients?

9. 9
What’s the Difference?
• Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Chemical Analysis and Equivalence
• 100% of your investment is usable? How much of your 20-20-20 can be used by
the plant? (Gov’t says only 2-12%)
• Naturally-derived vs. Synthetically-processed
• Measurably lost vs. invisibly lost
• Chemical = unstable
• highly reactive; suppresses biology
• React with soil, releases electrolytes
• Natural = stable
• Stimulates biology
• Provides microbial metabolites

10. Saturated Paste Test
• Magnesium - 6-10 ppm, 18-20%
• Potassium 15-25 ppm, 15%
• Sodium 5 ppm, <5%
• Sulfer 5 ppm
• Boron .1 ppm
• Iron .3 ppm
• Manganese .15 ppm
• Copper .05 ppm
• Zinc .1 ppm
• On traces +- .02 ppm variability from ideal ok
• Soluble Salt - 300-750 ppm
• Chlorides - 25-50
• Bicarbonate - 50-100
• Phosphorus - .5 ppm
• Calcium as % should be greater than Mg and K. As a % the Ca:Mg ratio
3:1 or a ppm ratio of 5:1. Ideal range 30-50 ppm, 60%

11. What functions do soil microbes perform?
1. Maintain Aerobic Conditions in Soil
2. Build soil structure
3. Disease Suppression Mechanisms
4. Decomposition
5. Nutrient immobilization
6. Nutrient mineralization
7. Nutrient fixation

12. www.growbetterfood.com

13. 13
Turning Sunlight into Sugar
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
The bonding together of CO2 (carbon dioxide) with H2O
(water) to make CH2O (sugar) and O2 (oxygen), using the
sun's energy.
•Successful photosynthesis is possible when there are
• Minerals available to act as catalysts and
• Adequate air, water and radiant energy (sunshine)
•Photosynthesis produces complex sugars
• The raw material (building blocks) from which all other critical
plant compounds are made
• An energy source to fuel plant growth
•The process is inhibited when
• There isn’t enough water
• There aren’t adequate available nutrients

14. Photosynthetic Capacity
• Leaf Density - plants highly loaded with leaves have higher
productive capacity.
• Leaf sap color - darker color more chlorophyll. Mg and B+K
associated with this. More photosynthetic potential. N will
make plant look greener, but not sap darker.
• Leaf Thickness - Thicker is better. Facilitates greater
photosynthesis and nutrient transport. Fe, Mg and K
associated with this.
• Leaf shape. Shorter wider leaves correlate with higher
production potential and stockier plants. Ex tomato plant.
1X5.5 inches or 2.5X4 inches

15. 15
Forming Sugars & Amino Acids
photosynthesis
glucose
}+CO2 =
+N = amino
acidsglucose

16. 16
Forming Peptides & Proteins
amino
acids enzyme
+
peptides
=
+
peptides enzyme
=complete
protein

17. LEVEL 2
Resistant to aphids, white
flies and larval insects
such as cabbage
earworm, alfalfa
weevil, tomato
hornworm and
many others
LEVEL 3
Resistance to downy and
powdery mildew, late blight
and others as well as,
bacterial invaders such as
fire blight, scab, rust,
bacterial speck, and
bacterial spot, just
to name a few.
LEVEL 4
The production of phytoalexins at this
level is dependent on lipid production
in LEVEL 3. These aromatic
“essential oil” compounds (terpenes,
phenolics, bioflavanoids) are natural
plant protection compounds that
contain pesticidal properties
of their own.
LEVEL 4
Resistance to cucumber beetles,
Colorado potato beetles, and
Japanese beetles; Production
of advanced anti-fungal
compounds and insect
digestion inhibitors.

18. www.growbetterfood.com
PhytoCannabinoid Acids & Terpenes or Terpenoids (Olivetolic Acid, THCA Synthase, CBDA Synthase,
CBCA Synthase, geranyltransferase, sesquiterpenoids, Monoterpenoids, Limonene synthase& Cannabis
Terpenoid Biosynthesis
Plant Secondary Metabolites as posted in BJP – Phytocannabinoid-Terpenoid entourage effects

19. • Insect damage
• Disease
• Rotting fruit
• Small fruit
• Deformation
• Stunted growth
• High moisture content
• Low test weight
• Early die down
• Leaf discoloration
• Hollow stems
• Poor reproduction

20. Nutrient Deficiency
Loss of function
Failing Processes
Lack of immunity
Low resistance to
disease; susceptible
to insect attack
Sclerotinia bacteria
Sap Beetle on Corn
Winged Aphid
Tarnished Plant
Bug on Pepper
Blossom

21. • Point at which the plant has distinct requirements in
order to be able to perform a critical function
• Point at which, given the right inputs and
environmental conditions, the functions at that growth
stage can be enabled, up to the point of genetic potential

22. 22
Genetic Potential is Predetermined
• A seed’s potential is
predetermined
• Don’t underestimate the
impact of seed quality on
germination rates, yield
potential, etc.
• Start with good genetics to
increase your opportunity
for success.
2 Cotyledons
e.g. Soy Bean
1 Cotyledon
e.g. Corn

23. 23
Genetic potential can be influenced
Example: Corn
– 9-12 days after emergence
• # of ears is determined
– 14-21 days after emergence
• # of rows of kernels is
determined
– 42-49 days after emergence
• # of kernels per row is
determined
A farmer has the
opportunity to
influence outcomes
by applying
nutritionand other
inputs as required.

24. Plant Framing, Fruiting & Yield Potential
• A plant will generally start seriously building its frame 4-6 weeks
after it has been transplanted.
• Saturated paste test 3-4 weeks after transplant = 1-2 weeks
before framing and fruiting = time to adjust for deficiencies.
Proactive monitoring. 3-4 weeks after bulking point it becomes
difficult to significantly impact yield potential.
• Getting past bulking point with healthy form, healthy root
system, and sufficient mineral availability Significantly
Increases Potential For Yield.
• Once a plant shows deficiency symptoms, you have limited the
genetic potential of that crop in that year. Why guess when you
can test.

25. 25
Growth Stages: Annual Fruiting & Flowering
Stage 1: Planting/Transplanting
Major Considerations: germination, root generation and development; avoiding root
diseases. microbial needs. Plant needs highly functioning soil bacterial system to best
establish itself. Soil life needs water and sugar for starters. Dry soil or low brix, plants will
short circuit this process
Stage 2: Building Plant Frame / Blossoming
Major Considerations: supporting strong, continuous, prolific blossoming; avoiding
blossom drop, nutrient demands begin to increase as plant goes through hormonal and
reproductive shifts
Stage 3: Filling Fruit
Major Considerations: nutrient deficiency; reducing fruit abortion; fruit size and ripening
uniformity; plant immunity; nutritional demands increase even more - B, Ca, Mn, S, P,
Mg, Co all needed
Stage 4: Fruit Finishing
Major Considerations: energy availability; fruit quality (flavor, storability, integrity); yield

26. Protein Synthesis/Proteolysis
• The formation of complete proteins in a plant is a primary means of insuring pest resistance. Basic
mineral balancing and inoculation are key for setting up this level of functionality in our plants.
• Insects do not have the enzymes in their digestive tracts necessary for breaking down proteins, and
have the antenna necessary to see if their preferred food crops are high in nitrates and amino acids
or proteins.
Paramagnetism/Diamagnetism
• Paramagnetism - technically is the capacity of the charges in a material to align in the presence
of an applied field.
• Practically - Plants are diamagnetic by nature, and so the stronger the paramagnetic charge of
the soil, the stronger the effective opposite charge between soil and plant which facilitates
plant growth.
• Energy Released Per Gram Second - Effectively this is the electrical energy flowing in the soil system
that facilitates the mobility of crop nutrients and building of plants.
• One of the simplest real time and least expensive ways to see overall functionality of soil system.
With proper mineralization and biological system support, this is the way to see if the “battery” is
still being charged, or running out of juice.
ERGS

27. Regular application guidelines
In drip
• Castings Tea & Enzymes
• Sea mineral concentrate 1 pt/acre
• Ca/P/traces 2 qt/acre
• P 1 pt/acre
• K 1qt/acre
As a foliar
• Only in Veg Compost/Castings Tea
• Sea mineral concentrate 1 pt/acre
• P 1 pt/acre
• K 1 qt/acre
• Kelp 5 oz/acre
• Bio-inoculant
As with bio-inoculants, soil mineral balancing, planting/transplanting drench, regular
drench and foliar are designed to address/prevent limitations as they are experienced in
the plant
For those who do not want to bother with plant sap monitoring, soil conductivity
testing, recipe building and effectiveness testing a Simple comprehensive
planting/transplanting drench in addition Regular weekly/biweekly drench &
Regular weekly/biweekly foliar

28. Biological inoculation
•Digestive tract of plants “acidophilus & FOS”
•Bacterial and fungal communities
•Symbiotic Bacteria Populations
•Nitrogen Fixating & solubilizing bacteria
•Phosphorous Solubilizing bacteria
•Ocean Sea Minerals “zooplankton & algae”
•Cyanobacteria “freshwater & lichen”
•Indigenous Microorganisms

29. Local Bio-inoculants
“Indigenous MicroOrganisms”
•In a 5 gallon bucket
•1/3-2/3 full of material at end
•Cover and fill with tepid water over night
•Horsetail, Comfrey, Nettles, Kelp, Alfalfa, White
oak bark, Lichen, SeaWeed, Freshwater aquatic
plant life, egg shells, visible mycorizzhae on forest
floor, etc
•Filter out material with a cheesecloth, dilute and
water into soil.

30. A Simple How To make Enzymes
•To previous recipe, add
•1 cup EM or other inoculant, 1 cup molasses.
•Cover with lid or other means to maintain
anaerobic environment. For 20-40 days or until pH
drops below 3.9.
•Mix 10:1 with water or at minimum with pH above
5.5 and apply.
•Other possible ingredients, ferns, sumac,
pokeweed.

31. 31
Regenerative Farming
• Is a long-term program, not a single product “quick
fix”
• Works in harmony with nature to re-establish mineral
balance and introduce/enhance beneficial
microbiology in the soil
• Regenerative Farming uses conventional and organic
techniques along with a combination of chemistry,
physics and biology to produce sustainable, nutritious
crops

32. FROM THIS TO THIS IN ONE YEAR
Sept, 2003 Aug 2004

35. Biologic Solutions in Stores

36. THANK YOU !