In February 2023 we held soil health events with Dr Christine Jones. Some insights from the Soil Secrets event:

  • Microbial diversity is the key factor that drives soil function.
  • Decreases in microbial diversity leads to soil compaction, trace element deficiencies, increased needs for inputs, and inability to store carbon.
  • This microbial diversity in the microbiome of a plant is encapsulated in the seed and passed on to next generation. This is referred to as the ‘core microbiome’.
  • How we manage the soil environment will determine whether the plants core microbiome is enriched or depleted over time.
  • You need a minimum of 4 different plant families to create diversity. This is key to developing a healthy and diverse microbiome.
  • Weeds are indicators. For example phosphorus accumulators which are plants that can access otherwise unavailable nutrients.

Roadshow Content Hub

Due to the volume and value of the information shared during Christine’s presentation, this ‘content hub’ has been designed as a resource for each of the participating host groups.

Click here to access the Christine Jones Content Hub which includes a detailed article outlining the principles, research and case studies shared by Dr Jones during the roadshow.

There are also links to useful resources such as seed merchants, plant lists and additional information.

Case Study: Oranje Tractor Wine

Click here to find out how local wine maker and organic orchardist, Murray Gomm and his partner Pam, from Oranje Tractor Wine have been successfully implementing regenerative agriculture principles on their Marbelup property.

 

More resources as mentioned at the Soil Secrets event:

Jena biodiversity experiment

http://the-jena-experiment.de/

Chinook applied research association

http://chinookappliedresearch.ca/

Refractrometers

https://microscopes.com.au/products/refractometer-brix-meter

https://www.dontwasteyourmoney.com/the-best-refractometer/

Rothamsted Research

https://repository.rothamsted.ac.uk/

Bonnie Bassler

How Bacteria Talk to Each Other (Youtube)

https://www.ted.com/talks/bonnie_bassler_how_bacteria_talk?language=en  (video)

More Resources by Dr Christine Jones

There are countless recordings and online resources of Dr Christine Jones work such as her webpage Amazing Carbon or find her talks on Youtube.

Profit, Productivity & NPK with Dr Christine Jones (Youtube)

Dr Christine Jones – Power of Diversity  (Youtube)