Introduction to Soil Biology (Workshop Note 1) (52 KB)
The key point is that there may be billions of bacterial cells in a gram of healthy, biologically active soil that comprises microbes, microscopic animals and larger animals, such as termites and earthworms. Without this abundant and thriving population in the soil food web the soil is dead and unable to sustain plant growth.

Life and Issues in the Soil (Workshop Note 2) (52 KB)
Fungi grow out into the soil, sometimes several centimetres from the root and pick up nutrients at a distance where they are still readily available. The fungal strands (hyphae) then transport the nutrients quickly back to the plant Ð a kind of rapid transit system - overcoming the slow movement in the soil. Tolerance to drought can be increased as the rapid transit system overcomes slow movement of nutrients in dry soil. There is no good evidence that the fungi actually transport water. This life in the soil faces many issues with tillage, fertilisers, pesticides, fire and disease.

Soil Properties (Workshop Note 3) (52 KB)
For many years, farmers and scientists have focused on the soil organisms that cause disease, the pathogens. However, more recently, the balanced populations of beneficial soil organisms that prevent disease have been applied in farming practices that encourage the multiplication of disease suppressive organisms. A healthy soil biology is critical in creating healthy soil properties, ie. chemical and structural. A healthy soil will have improved water holding capacity, nutrient cycling, organic matter breakdown and disease suppression. Also, these healthy soils will eliminate salinity, hardpans, erosion, water-logging, and mineral toxicity.