Inhibit Pests and Diseases

Call for a Soil Site Assessment today and learn how you can inhibit pests and diseases.

Microbes play a crucial role in controlling pests and diseases in soil through various mechanisms.

Here are some ways in which microbes help manage soil-borne pests and diseases:

• Antagonism: Some beneficial soil microbes are antagonistic to soil-borne pathogens. They produce antimicrobial compounds, such as antibiotics and enzymes, that inhibit the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. This competitive advantage can reduce the population of harmful pathogens.

• Predation: Certain soil microbes are predatory and feed on detrimental nematodes, protozoa, and other small soil organisms that may be pests or vectors for plant diseases. These predatory microbes help control the populations of harmful organisms in the soil.

• Induced Resistance: Some beneficial microbes can stimulate the plant's natural defense mechanisms. When plants interact with these microbes, they may become more resistant to diseases caused by pathogens. This is often referred to as induced systemic resistance (ISR).

• Biofumigation: Certain plants, known as biofumigant crops, release volatile compounds when their tissues are incorporated into the soil. These compounds can suppress soil-borne pathogens. Beneficial microbes can enhance the effectiveness of biofumigation by degrading these compounds into bioactive substances.

• Nutrient Competition: Beneficial microbes can outcompete pathogens for essential nutrients, making it harder for pathogens to establish themselves and reproduce in the soil. This nutrient competition can limit the growth of pathogenic populations.

• Change in Soil pH: Some microbes can alter the soil pH in a way that is unfavorable for pathogenic organisms. By modifying the pH, these microbes create an environment that is less conducive to the growth and activity of soil-borne pathogens.  Fungi produces glomalin an acidic glue that helps pull soil particles together to form aggregates. (link to soil structure)  Bacteria produce an alkaline glue biolfilm that helps them adhere to surfaces including living tissues, and form organized communities.

• Exclusion: Beneficial microbes can colonize the root zone and form a protective barrier around plant roots, preventing pathogens from gaining access to the roots. This is often referred to as microbial exclusion or the "rhizosphere effect."

• Biological Control Agents: Certain microbes, such as mycorrhizal fungi and specific bacteria, form mutualistic relationships with plants and can indirectly protect plants from pathogens by enhancing plant health and nutrient uptake. They can also produce compounds that inhibit pathogen growth.

• Disease Suppression: Microbial consortia, composed of various beneficial microorganisms, can collectively suppress soil-borne diseases through a combination of mechanisms. These consortia are designed to target specific pathogens and improve overall soil health.

• Soil Health Promotion: Healthy soils with diverse and balanced microbial communities are generally more resistant to diseases and pests. Beneficial microbes contribute to soil health, which, in turn, creates an environment less favorable for pathogens.

 Remember Healthy Soil is Alive! 

There is no Soil on the planet deficient in pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers.