Bio-Tech Organics

Ecological Agriculture.

What is it?

Call it natural, sustainable, organic, biological, low input, basically it is farming with less reliance on chemicals, the benefits flowing towards less toxic production systems, high quality nutritious food, a healthier environment and less exposure to toxic inputs by the farmer.
Ecological farming relies more on natural energies and organisms, to produce top quality food & fiber products.
Ecological farming is a complete system; it is not muck, myth or a magic bullet and takes time and patience to develop.
Ecological farming is not necessarily organic only. Most times a combination of organic and conventional inputs produces the best results in terms of nutrition and high production.
Ecological farming works with nature to improve the basic conditions for soil organisms, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae, earthworms and higher organisms like insects, reptiles, mammals and birds.
A properly balanced ecosystem will improve conditions for these organisms, in turn, bringing equilibrium to the whole system, with natural protection and increased energy for growing plants.
All organisms rely on lower organisms for survival. This is the way of Nature, if we learn how to harness this system and maintain the balance, we can all benefit.

The soil-plant system
For the soil-plant system to function well, soil life needs to be considered and protected at every cost.
Imbalanced soils, synthetic chemical inputs, nutrient excesses, chemical pesticides, herbicides and fungicide use, compaction, low humus, poor oxygen supply, all play a part in keeping the soil active, (the aim of an Ecological Farming System) or inactive, which is easily possible with some of the inputs being made.
A previous CSIRO biology study has shown that herbicide applications alone can affect the function of the soil biota by as much as 40-50 days, with high nitrogen applications having a detrimental effect on soil organisms by up to 40 days. Recent studies by the USDA have also shown detrimental effects on beneficial soil organisms, with the general use of a well -known herbicide.

Balance is the key for the soil-plant system to perform at its’ best.

Balance is the key to the production of high-quality food and fiber.
Chemistry, physics and biology should be kept in balance for sustainable agriculture to remain just that, ‘sustainable’.

Where do you start?
Start with the soil and a complete soil test.
A balanced soil will provide ideal pore space in the aerobic zone or ‘topsoil’. This allows for a good supply of oxygen and optimizes field capacity (soil moisture retaining properties) assisting beneficial microorganisms. The organisms in the soil assist the development of healthy root systems and provide nutrients to plants. Plants in turn provide food for these organisms from exudates and wastes.

The Albrecht Model
The Albrecht soil test determines the level and balance of all major & secondary nutrients. In our opinion (after thousands of soil tests), it is the ideal test for evaluating soil balance and the measures required to ameliorate soils which require adjusting.
Major & minor elements like anions (nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous), cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, hydrogen) and the micronutrients (copper, zinc, manganese, iron, cobalt, molybdenum) could be limiting factors when undersupplied, or antagonistic to the availability of other essential elements, when in excess. (ref. Mulder’s Chart).
The ideal calcium: magnesium ratio (~6:1) is vital to keep air and moisture flowing freely through the soil profile. For aerobic organisms to proliferate, oxygen is vital. Compacted soil due to excess magnesium or low calcium may reduce soil oxygen, plant root development and microbial activity. pH, which is determined by the percentage of base saturations of the major cations and their relative balance, is another limiting factor .

The Soil Food Web
Most of the beneficial organisms are aerobic and require sufficient oxygen to grow and flourish. Bacteria, beneficial mycorrhizal fungi and earthworms assist in building soil structure with sticky waste by-products that glue soil particles together. Protozoa assist in mineralizing nutrients, making them available to plants. In order to make more minerals available, adequate numbers of protozoa must be present in the soil.
Microbes under favorable conditions can divide every 20 mins; increasing their numbers to more than one thousand from one, after just 3 hrs. This astronomical growth rate includes tens and hundreds of millions of microorganisms, present in every grain of soil. These microbes alter the biochemical substances as they work and rework all the dead cells components.

Some fix atmospheric nitrogen (Azotobactor, Nitrobactor) some are symbiotic (live inside root systems, supplying nitrogen from the atmosphere, Rhizobium) some decompose cellulose and organic matter (Bacillus subtilis), releasing nutrients from previous living plants & organisms, while others attack pathogens and unfriendly organisms (Trichoderma). Others increase humus content and available carbon. Carbon and oxygen are essential components in the process of photosynthesis.
Soil conditions and the balance of nutrients greatly affect the positive or negative function of these microbes.

The Benefits
A general benefit from soil balance and nurturing of the living organisms of the soil-plant system is reflected in the reduction of chemicals to control pests and diseases and a reduction of synthetic fertiliser inputs to grow crops. This has a flow-on benefit for the environment and can lead to a reduction in the costs to produce quality crops, not to mention a reduction of toxic residues in the food chain.

The Future (Organic, GMO, Conventional, Permaculture, Bio-Dynamic, Hydroponic?)
Many of the farming methods being used to date are being questioned and evaluated for their true sustainability. New methods are gradually being incorporated (IPM: Integrated Pest Management is one example), not to mention the campaign of awareness by governments and agencies like Landcare, highlighting impacts we all have on our environment, global warming, soil erosion, desertification, nitrate and mineral leaching etc.

Many countries are subsidizing and encouraging farmers to convert to systems that are more Eco-friendly, particularly European countries. Farmers in Germany for example are subsidized to convert to certified organic farming systems, whilst in Italy it is compulsory for children’s school lunches to be organic. Organic farming is growing at a phenomenal rate and consumers are willing to pay a premium for this type of produce.

Organic produce sales worldwide were estimated to be around US$55 billion in 2008-09, with organic produce now grown in over 160 countries, this figure has tripled from US$18 billion in 2000 and is increasing yearly by around 20%. It is still very much in its infancy, compared to conventional food production, however farmers are always looking at ways to increase profitability, whilst consumers are looking for products that fit into the categories of organic, natural, nutritionally high, chemical and pesticide free and environmentally friendly.
A niche market is there for farmers looking to ‘change with the times’.
For conventional farmers who resist change it may get harder, as inputs rise and returns become smaller.

Bio-Tech Organics can assist growers who are looking for ecological agriculture practices, organic farming or conventional farming methods using high quality organic and blended inputs.
Bio-Tech Organics supplies the largest range of ecological inputs in Australia, and more than thirty years’ experience in this field.

To have a free information pack sent to you, just give us a call on: 08 83808554

For a sustainable farming future.

John Norton
Managing Director Bio-Tech Organics – Leaders in Ecological Agriculture

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