Why are soil microorganisms important?
Microorganisms are the foundation for soil fertility and plant health. They outnumber all other life forms on the planet; in fact 1 teaspoon (1 dry gram) of soil contains billions of microbes. Microbes serve a vital role in the soil. They populate root zones, feeding off nutrients exuded from the plants while making other nutrients available for plant growth at the times and rates the plants require. They protect plants from pathogens and are responsible for good soil structure, improving water infiltration and water holding capacity. They decompose plant residues, produce growth- regulating hormones and digest pollutants in the soil. The symbiotic relationship between plants and microbes, referred to as the soil-food web, is destroyed by the use of inorganic fertilizers. According to NCAP, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, EPA considers 95% of the pesticides used on residential lawns probable or possible carcinogens. How do inorganic fertilizers destroy the soil-food
