An agronomist from Laverstoke Park’s Soil Biology and Chemistry Laboratory will be presenting a paper on soil biology and compost at the National Fruit Show.
‘An introduction to Soil Biology and the use of Compost and Compost Tea in sustainable agriculture’ will be presented by Joel Williams, an agronomist from the 2,500-acre organic farm in Hampshire, at the show’s seminar on Thursday, October 16.
The continuous increase in the cost of fertilisers and agricultural chemicals has put mounting pressure on growers to maintain profitability, while production costs are forecast to only continue rising.
Soil micro-organisms are considered potential candidates to naturally and cost effectively improve soil fertility and plant production, due to the numerous and varied functions they perform in the soil environment. Many of these functions are seen to have the potential to reduce the current dependency on petrochemical-based inputs.
The use of tailor-made composts and liquid compost teas or extracts is an alternative technology that can enable fruit growers to cost effectively repopulate their soil with a diverse and active population of these beneficial micro-organisms.
Williams’s presentation will outline the main groups of soil important for healthy plant growth and fruit production; their role in soil health; and a focus on the preparation and application of compost and compost tea to soil and plants in farming systems.
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