Soil Health Resources

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.

More resources as mentioned at the Soil Secrets event:

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