Knowledge Base is a collection of pertinent links around the topic of soil, fungi, fungal dominant composts and our uses for it. We will be trying to include a brief description of each link. In the case of videos we will be adding time codes to make finding the important bits easier.
Lots of new 2023 science is showing how to create regenerative soils faster and more cost effectively
Aaron Prairie, Colorado State University, Alison King, Francesca Cotrufo
This meta-analysis finds “1) no-till (NT) and cropping system intensification increase SOC (11.3% and 12.4%, respectively), MAOC (8.5% and 7.1%, respectively), and POC (19.7% and 33.3%, respectively) in topsoil (0 to 20 cm).” Concluding that regenerative agriculture is a key strategy to promote both soil health and long-term C stabilization.”
Soil aggregate formation and the accrual of particulate and mineral-associated organic matter
J.D. Jastrow
“Greater increases in soil aggregation and associated OC induced by crop rotation were associated with sub-soiling, no-till, straw retention, combined manure-inorganic fertilizers, and a lower nitrogen fertilization input rate with more rotation cycles and longer rotation length,” noted the report.
Study entitled On-Farm Testing of Johnson-Su Compost Extract as a Biological Inoculant in Wheat and Soybeans begins in 2023.
New study started by the USDA
“The USDA is starting a trial in Minnesota using Johnson-Su bioreactor compost. This is exactly the study I have been searching for and it sounds like it might answer some great questions! I am super excited about this and am planning on emailing the project manager to express my enthusiasm and interest in the project.”
Brendan Brown, researcher
The link to this project is here: https://projects.sare.org/sare_project/onc23-119/
FDC as a peat moss replacement?
Use of peat moss as an essentially non-renewable garden supplement and plant starter is a contentious issue. This article looks at digested yard waste as a substitute for peat. Another use for your FDC may we suggest.
Globe and Mail article on Quorum Sensing
This article celebrates the 2023 Gairdner Awards winners. In doing so they neatly summarize the origins of “Quorum Sensing.”
At ONfungi we believe one of the reasons behind the success of FDC may be related to quorum sensing and we look forward to additional research along these lines.
New study underlines the value of citizen science
Researchers at the University of Ottawa recently assessed the value of non-academic observations in scientific studies. While citizen science as a concept draws many strong opinions, this study shows citizen science reports increased the distribution data received, allowed for much earlier observations of certain pollinators, and even increased pollinator species counts. This implies that even non-professional scientific observations have real value regarding data collection.
At ONfungi we too develop citizen science experiments which help us collect more data. Thank you for your participation and support.
Soroye P, Ahmed N, Kerr JT. Opportunistic citizen science data transform understanding of species distributions, phenology, and diversity gradients for global change research. Glob Change Biol. 2018;24:5281–5291. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14358
Johnson-Su fungal dominant compost backgrounders
Fungal-rich Compost Paired with Cover Cropping
https://mhcd.colorado.gov/news-article/fungal-rich-cmpost-paired-cover-cropping
In a time of increasing weather variation new research points to increased drought resistance with the use of fungal enrichment. This article presents an overview of a 2018 farm scale study in Colorado. Given strong government mandates to replenish their aquifer the study notes the lack of soil regeneration success with traditional composts. It further explores the benefits of the Johnson-Su compost.
Best practices in making and using a Johnson-Su bioreactor
This is an important early document on how to build a Johnson-Su bioreactor. It contains useful tips and complete instructions. There is also a brief section on how to use the resulting inoculant at the end of the document. This section includes methods for pre-treating larger amounts of seed for use in a planter in larger scale application.
https://www.csuchico.edu/regenerativeagriculture/_assets/documents/johnson-su-bioreactor.pdf
When assembling your bioreactor we strongly recommend viewing Scott’s video. His refinements to the technique make the process easier and do speed production. If, in the creation of your bioreactor, you discover any additional techniques; please let us know.
Kelvin wants to add: If you chop your leaves/material finer you appear to get faster composting (tho, not a lot faster).