Sometimes magic just happens.I was visiting friends holidaying a little way out in the country. We met for supper and a game of skittles. Getting back to work the following day meant leaving well before sunrise. Something drew me out into the garden.Not just the full moon.Into the kitchen first, to find a tea spoonContinue reading “Moonlit soil sampling”
Author Archives: Soil Food Web Student
Nematode extractions
Why do a nematode extraction? Diversity assessment:To figure out what nematode diversity is in the soil or compost.Within the first 24-48h the free living, free swimming nematodes will be extracted. Root feeding nematodes are bound to the root environment, move much shorter distance and won’t generally cover the distances within this early time span.Keep theContinue reading “Nematode extractions”
The Humboldt pile
Building a new hot compost pile in the company of curious, fun, disciplined and inspiring Alexander von Humboldt. Not sure he is responsible, but surely affirming in trying some soil biology experiments…
Biodiverse soil ecosystems: Nematodes and their feeding habits
Meet a compex soil ecosystem, with nematodes from different trophic levels.
Reflections on methodology of the microscopic soil food web assessments in biodiversity rich vs empoverished soils.
Microscopy ergonomics
Looking after our health whilst completing microscopy work is essential for enjoyment, quality output and sustainability of our work.
Learn about finding a good fit between our equipment, environment and our needs.
Good gifts & enchytraeids
Finding about tiny worms, similar to earthworms in some behaviours and effects, but in different niches
Mycologos “Everything is connected”: Not yet a review
First impressions of Peter McCoy’s in-depth introduction to the world of fungi
Compost baking
Making compost is a bit like making cake – a cup is a good measure, and we need to get the mix of ingredients right. If it goes well, is smells good, and is delicious (OK, this may be stretching the metaphor too far…)
How long is a piece of fungus?
Ever struggled to estimate the length of an organism under the microscope?
Here are a couple of techniques that don’t just rely on eyeballing….
A Christmas puzzle
Do you ever get soil samples and have no idea what the plants were like, what health concerns there might be, what the growing conditions would have been?
What can we glean from just a soil sample and the soil food web in it?
What questions does this pose, and can we judge from the soil alone which plants grew best?
Soil Food Web Student 