Build healthy soil for growing healthy organic food.

1. Theresa Lam
Rutgers Gardens VSA Coordinator
Growing Vegetables for Optimal
Nutrition

2. The IYS 2015 aims to increase awareness
and understanding of the importance of
soil for food security and essential
ecosystem functions.
http://www.fao.org/soils-2015/en/

3. January: Soils Sustain Life
February: Soils Support Urban Life
March: Soils Support Agriculture
April: Soils Clean and Capture Water
May: Soils Support
Buildings/Infrastructure
June: Soils Support Recreation

4. July: Soils Are Living
August: Soils Support Health
September: Soils Protect the Natural
Environment
October: Soils and Products We Use
November: Soils and Climate
December: Soils, Culture and People

5. The upper mineral & organic matter in the
upper layer of the earth’s crust.
• Weathered Rock: Sand, silt, clay 45%
• Organic matter 5%
• Air & Water = 50%

6. Soil has
Texture
Structure
Color
Life
Texture + Structure = Soil Behavior

7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_horizon
•O: Organic layer
•A: Organic matter mixed
with mineral soil
•most biological activity
•Earthworms,arthropods,
nematodes, fungi, and
many species of bacteria
•B: clays & organic material.
Plant roots penetrate through
this layer, but it has little
humus.
•C. parent material

8. Healthy Soils
• help control pests & disease in plants
• Is a base for symbiotic associations
between plant roots and organisms
• Recycle plant nutrients
• Improve soil structure through formation
of humus
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010116balfourspeech.html

9. Very long carbon molecules with a large
surface area. The surface area carries charges
which attract & hold minerals.
Minerals + organic matter + humus = soil

10. Healthy soils help mitigate climate change
Healthy soils help conserve water
Soil is a non-renewable resource
Healthy soils are the basis for healthy food
production
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4405e.pdf
http://www.fao.org/soils-2015/soil-facts/en/#c320163

11. Nutrient Dense Foods
Based on
• processed foods
• food classes
• genetics or soil quality

12. There is evidence that nutrients in vegetables
in U.S. are declining.
Since the 1940’s yield increases produced
by fertilization, irrigation, and other
environmental means tend to decrease the
concentrations of minerals in plants.
Jarrell and Beverly (1981) reviewed the
evidence for this well-known “dilution effect.”
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0065211308608871
https://www.organic-center.org/reportfiles/Davis_ppt.pdf

13. http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/44/1/15.full

14. A library of documents from pioneers gave
many anecdotal stories and scientific
results on how they witnessed the health
benefits of eating food from organic
agriculture.
http://soilandhealth.org/files/BMaDhLKrJT/010133rodale.pdf

15. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925)
Sir Robert McCarrison (1878-1960)
Drs. Francis Pottinger Jnr (1901–1967)
Weston A. Price (1870-1948)
Sir Albert Howard (1873-1947)
Dr. William Albrecht (1888-1974)
J.I. Rodale (1898-1971)
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010116Balfourspeech.html

16. Towards a Sustainable
Agriculture—
The Living Soil and the
“Haughley Experiment”
http://www.ladyevebalfour.org/
http://www.ladyevebalfour.org/

17. To find evidence on which the claims for
the benefits of organic farming.
Observed and studied nutrition cycles
under contrasting farm systems
 Same land, various treatments had on
the biological quality of the produce grown
Included its nutritive value as revealed
through its animal consumers.
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010116balfourspeech.html

18. Three side by side units of land
Unit 1: Left alone
Units 2 & 3 were under rotations: to observe
the food chain--soil-plant-animal-soil--
interdependencies and cumulative effects.
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010116balfourspeech.html

19. Rotations of cow, poultry & sheep on
pasture.
All feed came from the unit; waste returned
into the unit.
Chemical fertilizers were used, as well as
herbicides, insecticides and fungicides
when thought necessary.
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010116balfourspeech.html

20. Rotations in a closed cycle of cow, poultry
& sheep on pasture. All feed came from
the unit; waste recycled into the unit. No
chemicals were used.
Closed system: Entirely dependent on its
own biological fertility
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010116balfourspeech.html

22. Bio-chemist, Dr. R.F. Milton. Performed
analyses for soil and plant nutrients in
every field every month for a period of over
10 years
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010116balfourspeech.html

23. Unit 3: No Chemical Fertilizer
• Highest humus content
• 10x more phosphate during the growing
period vs. dormant period
• Levels of available minerals in the soil
fluctuate according to the season,
maximum levels coinciding with the time
of maximum plant demand.

24. A significant analytical difference between
the crops in the sections was the higher
water content of chemically grown fodder.
This lack of difference is significant, since
organics did not receive added minerals,
yet the analysis remained consistently high
with the other Units.

25.  Freedom from insect pest damage of the
organic section crops, and the longer
working life of its livestock.
Output of animal products required 12-
15% less input and cows gave 15% more
milk (fields were sparser)

26. Utilize rotations, under-sowing, and
avoiding monoculture of crops or animals.
Use Cover-cropping and mulch.
Deposited organic matter—compost or
farmyard manure--on the surface. It is left
to the earthworms and some insects to
take it below.
Keep soil-inversion to a minimum.

27. Nature's highly efficient recycling system
ensures provision of living food for all
organisms in the food chain from soil
bacteria and fungi to large fauna.
Stress is on the conservation and return to
the soil of all organic residues.
Feed and to assist the soil population and
to leave it to feed the crop.

28. The techniques of modern farming tend to
destroy good structure by:
impaction of heavy implements
carrying out cultivations in unsuitable
weather conditions
failure to provide sufficient organic food
and/or a suitable lime status for the
earthworm population.

29. In most agricultural soils there is plenty of
mineral plant food for the nutritional
requirements of plants, even when
continuously cropped, if their roots are
allowed to exploit it downwards.
The key to this is good soil structure which
is greatly influenced by the activity of
earthworms.

30.  In India he observed over 30 years, the
use of chemical fertilizer devitalized soils
and the food that was grown in it.
Observed how the leaves, weeds and
blades of grass found their way back into
the soil.
Difference between this vs. chemically
grown crops is organic had greater
disease resistance.

31.  Also observed that animals raised on
organic land had stronger immunity
Developed the Indore compost making
method & changed to using compost on
the school’s farm. The number of illnesses
reduced tremendously.
http://soilandhealth.org/files/BMaDhLKrJT/010133rodale.pdf

32. Closely followed Sir Albert Howard & Lady
Balfour
Studied the link between
Healthy soil, Healthy food
and Healthy people
Soil is alive and teaming with
microorganisms: Bacteria, fungi, molds,
yeasts, protozoa and algae.
http://soilandhealth.org/files/BMaDhLKrJT/010133rodale.pdf

33. Microorganisms
contribute 600 lbs/acre of fertilizer when
they die.
are part of the digestive process of soil
“What a marvelously integrated system God
through Nature has wrought in this
subterranean world of microscopic, specky
beings.”
http://soilandhealth.org/files/BMaDhLKrJT/010133rodale.pdf

34. All of these organic supporters found that
there's a strong correlation between good
mineralized soils with robust soil biological
activity
http://soilandhealth.org/files/BMaDhLKrJT/010133rodale.pdf

35. Soil Food Web

36. Organisms secrete sugars &
proteins that attract beneficial
bacteria & fungi.
Bacteria & fungi are eaten by
nematodes & protozoa
Their wastes increase the
organic matter of the soil.
-Jerry Brunetti The Farm is an Ecosystem
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/15/brunetti-biological-farming.aspx

37. These interactions occur in the
Rhizosphere
Biological interactions are sensitive to
• Soil compaction
• Tillage
• Fungicides, Herbicides, Pesticides, Fertilizers

38. The root ball of the plant is the "gut" or
intestinal tract of the plant.
In healthy soil, it houses microbes just like
the human gut.
Rhizosphere as the area around a plant
root that is inhabited by a unique
population of microorganisms influenced
by the chemicals released from plant
roots.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/15/brunetti-biological-farming.aspx
http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/the-rhizosphere-roots-soil-and-67500617

40. Plants actually "talk" to one another through
• aerial emissions—the volatile gasses they
emit
• mycelial networks in the soil
• no need for synthetic chemicals to grow
large amounts of food. Chemicals used in
modern agriculture are killing the very
foundation of health—the microbiome in the
soil.
-Jerry Brunetti

41. Mycorrhiza are
symbiotic
associations
between a fungus
and plant.
http://mycorrhizas.info/

42. Fungi cover the roots of trees like gloves,
extending the root system
Symbiotic relationship
• The plant secretes carbohydrate exudates which
supports the fungi
• The fungi break down and supply water and
nutrients esp. Phosphorus
• If P is too high, mycorhizzae do not develop
http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=470&cookieConsent=A

44. http://www.timberpress.com/books/teaming_microbes/lowenfels/9781604691139

45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n04wCkIpuQ
http://www.lesfoodingues.com/en/2010/05/gmo-wine-grossly-manipulated-opinion/

46.  Fix nitrogen
 Peas, clovers, alfalfa,
vetches, and fava beans
can all make significant
contributions of nitrate
nitrogen.
 Manufacture from 80 to 200
pounds of nitrates per acre
 “Green manure”
http://www.soilandhealth.org/03sov/0302hsted/030202/03020209.html

47. http://blog.humboldtseeds.net/en/cover-cropping/

48. http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~plantbio/osu_pcmb/pcmb_lab_resources/pcmb102_activities/n_fixation/sym_nit_fix.html

49. • Rhizobia can manufacture from 80 to 200 lbs
nitrates/acre.
• Peas, clovers, alfalfa, vetches, and fava beans
can all make significant contributions of nitrate
nitrogen.
• “Green manuring legumes”--till into soil
• Summer crops of cowpeas and snap beans, tend
to be net consumers of nitrates, not makers of
more nitrates than they can use—Tuck them in or
add to compost.
http://www.soilandhealth.org/03sov/0302hsted/030202/03020209.html

50. Prey on roundworms

53. Digest and unlock minerals, such as
phosphorus from calcium phosphate
making it available to nourish growing
plants.
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/composting/earthworm-soil-fertility

54. nitrogen by 5X times
soluble calcium by 2X
available magnesium by 2½X
phosphorus by 7X
potassium 11X
Also make trace minerals available
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/composting/earthworm-soil-fertility

55.  More than two thousand years ago Arisotle
said…
“Earthworms are the
intestines of the earth”

56. • Darwin:
 calculated that worms deposit 10
tons/acre of castings each year.
• Sir Albert Howard:
calculated 25 tons/acre

58. What is humus?
A stable substance highly resistant to
biological decomposition
The more clay or humus in the soil, the
higher the Cation Exchange Capacity
(CEC) i.e.
The Intelligent Gardener p. 127

60. https://vimeo.com/122856716

61. Soil maintenance is at the
heart of organic growing: don't
feed the plants, feed the soil --
the plants will look after
themselves.
The extremely complex
subject of soil maintenance
can happily be summed up in
one word: composting.
http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/medtest/medtest_sykes.html

62. "Producing quality compost is the most
important job on the organic farm. A lot of
the problems I see on farms I visit could be
solved by making better compost."
 -- Elliott Coleman,
 The New Organic Grower

63. Composting is a managed biological
process that converts organic material into
a fine particle humus.
Microorganisms decompose organic
material.
Oxygen must be present and heat is
generated as the organic material
decomposes.

65. The C:N (carbon:nitrogen) balance 30:1
Tree leaves: 40:1, grass clippings = 20:1

66. The C:N (carbon:nitrogen) balance 30:1
Tree leaves: 40:1, grass clippings: 20:1
4x4 feet
Break up material into small parts
Freestanding or in a bin
Layer materials add water you build
Lime
Water and keep moist
Turn pile regularly

67. •Build compost heap add materials as
they are available
•Wait 4 days – no turning, then turn
every 2nd day for 14 days
•Highest temperature: 120 degrees
•Does not kill weed seeds or
pathogens
•Beneficial fungi may persist

68.  Kills weed seeds & pathogens
 Compost temperature is maintained between
130--150 degrees Celsius
 Turn compost as temperature decreases
 Cure for 2 weeks
 Ready in 4-8 weeks
 Lay on top of garden soil
http://deepgreenpermaculture.com/diy-instructions/hot-compost-composting-in-18-days/

70.  Play an important
role in degrading
complex organics
such as cellulose,
lignin, chitin, and
proteins.
 Work during the
curing phase of
composting
http://www.the-compost-gardener.com/actinomycetes.html

71. Protozoa are good nutrient recyclers
Can eat 10,000 bacteria/day
Soak fresh grass clippings alfalfa, hay or
straw in dechlorinated water 3-4 days
Bubble air through the liquid
Pour on top of mulch
http://cfb.unh.edu/phycokey/Choices/Amoebae_Flagellates_Ciliates/Ciliates/PARAMECIUM/Paramecium_Image_page.html

73. Vermicomposting
 Hügelkultur (raised garden beds or
mounds)
Black soldier fly larvae composting
Cockroach composting
Bokashi
Compost tea
Composting toilets

74. https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=252843&page=4

79. Solvita Test for Soil
Respiration/Soil Biological
Activity

81. Amend according to soil test.

82. Logan
Labs
Logan Labs

86. pH—Limestone, Sulfur
Macronutrients
• Aged cow or horse manure (herbicide-
free)
• Bloodmeal, Rock phosphate,
Greensand, Magnesium, gypsum
Micronutrients:
• Boron, zinc, copper, cobalt, boron,
molybdenum

87. • Soil test 2-3 yrs
• Build organic matter
 Cover crops
 Green manures & living mulches
 Compost
• Crop rotations
• Conservation tillage
• Mulching

88. • Add organic matter
Compost, Green manures, living
mulches & cover crops.
Till in spring or during growing
season. Wait 3 weeks. Test soil.

89. • Keep soil covered to reduces carbon
loss
• Plant roots support formation of humus
• Conservation tilling
• No artificial fertilizers
• Feed the soil

90. Living Mulches
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifolium_repens

91. After adding a layer of compost to the soil
add
Green mulches--clover
Salt hay
Chopped leaves
Grass clippings
Interplantings, deep roots & shallow roots

92. Potatoes—vetch
Sweet corn—soybean
Cabbage—sweet clover
Peas—follow by mix of clovers
Beans—winter vetch
Root crops—dwarf white clover
Squash—sweet clover between rows
Beets, carrots other roots—follow sweet clover
The New Organic Grower --Elliot Coleman p. 78-79

94. • Cover crops
 Oats
 Wheat
Buckwheat
 Rye
 Legumes—clover, vetch,
field peas, alfalfa
Tillage radish

96. • Results of balanced nutrients
Measure brix with refractometer
Nutrient rich foods

98. What a marvelously integrated system God
through Nature has wrought in this
subterranean world of microscopic, specky
beings.
It is breath-taking to behold the beautiful
interplay of natural forces and the biological
activities going on in old Mother
Earth as these gleams of life go about their
task of manufacturing plant food. Without the
aid of this micro-organic world man would
cease to exist.
-J.I Rodale

99. Soil profile—observe organisms
Compost
Castings
Core sampler
Rhizobium bacteria
Mycorrhizial associations
Blocking mix