HOW LONG DO MICROBES LIVE IN THE SOIL?
Colonies of beneficial microorganisms continue to live in soil as long as they are provided good conditions and natural food sources. Stressful conditions in the soil will make microbes go-to-sleep and become inactive, but not death. These organisms may wake-up again after very long periods of time. Of course, contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, and air pollutants reduce the organism’s lifespan. Chemical applications can reduce organism populations up to 25%, depending on the chemical used. In which case, repeated applications are needed to build the soil populous if continued use of chemicals is the practice.
