subject: A look At Micro-organisms in Farming [print this page] A look At Micro-organisms in Farming A look At Micro-organisms in Farming
Organic farming- How does it really work? What drives this system of farming that benefits the farmers? Much has been said about the use of various types of organic inputs in cultivating almost all types of crops. But does everybody who is advocating the use of organic materials in their farms really knows how this thing works? Some may or may not know the answer to this. But the real culprit to the wonders that organic farming does is actually the nature-given living thing we call microorganism. It does all the work in order for nutrients that are inherent to the soil and those that are supplemented are assimilated and/or brought up into the plant for effective use in growing, flowering and eventual fruiting. Some people refer to organic inputs as beneficial bacteria because this type of micro-organism is widely used and known to help in the plants (only the good ones) growing and production. However, there are also fungi that are not pathogenic and can work side by side with bacteria. These beneficial micro-organisms actually suppress the activity of their pathogenic relatives in the soil and overwhelm them before they can work on their purpose. And because since the beginning nature has already provided the soil with these micro-organisms, farmers has to reinforce the good ones thru the use of organic inputs in order to ensure their constant presenceto help in preventingdiseases by protecting the plants from undesirable pathogens. The discovery and eventual use of micro-organism in agriculture is regarded a major breakthrough in agricultural development considering the systematic destruction of the soil thru therampant use of synthetic chemical inputs that kill and destroy colonies of natural and beneficial micro-organisms that has been naturally present in the environment.The application of micro-organisms from organic inputs to the soil will replenish the lost organic matter and would enable it to regain its original natural humus state. Nevertheless, the farmer has to make sure that what he is applying contains live micro-organisms as there lots of products in the market that claims of being organic but does not guarantee to contain live organic matter. To make sure that you have a living micro-organism, produce compost by yourself and consult with experts.
