Question❓| Upskill 📚 | Information ℹ️ | Picture 📷 | Special Offer 🎁

Edition 24

👋 Hey TropicalBytes family, welcome to this week’s edition of Q.U.I.P.S.!

As the fastest-growing subtropical farming community out there, we're thrilled to be your BFF (Best Farming Friend), saving you hundreds of hours by unearthing hidden gems like:

• Actionable tips 💡

• Practical knowledge 🧠

• Industry insights 📊

• And so much more 🌟

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In Today’s Email:

• Q: What Is the Optimal Irrigation Amount for the Entire Soil Ecosystem? 🤔

• U: NSW Macadamia Grower’s Guide 2023 👨‍🌾

• I: The Who, What, Why, Where, and When of Soil Life, Part 2 & 3 🪱

• P: Brews, Snoozes, and Dachshund Muses 🐶

• S: Exclusive R1000 Cash Giveaway! 🎉

Question❓

What Is the Optimal Irrigation Amount for the Entire Soil Ecosystem?

We’ve generally honed in on the optimal amount of water for our tree roots, but when we factor in the myriad of life beneath the soil:

• The fungi 🍄

• Bacteria 🦠

• Microbes 🔬

• Earthworms 🪱

• …and more 🌱

What truly is the optimal irrigation amount for the entire soil ecosystem?

Now, this isn't just about quenching the thirst of our trees only, but nurturing the very foundation of our soil's health. It's a question that hasn't been extensively trialed or tested yet, and it's sparking some deep thought in the farming community.

So as we do, we go digging… digging for more. 🤓 ⛏️

On our recent internet travels, we stumbled upon a webinar by the fabulous Dr. Nikki Seymour from The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. And one curious soul asked a question that had us nodding along:

“Does soil moisture or the ability to irrigate crops have an affect on soil biology?”

Here's a distilled version of Dr. Nikki's wisdom:

• Yes, absolutely soil moisture and irrigation play a big role. The effects can be both good and, well, not so good.

• Flood irrigation can drastically alter the soil's biological community. Prolonged flooding? Not great, since many soil organisms are aerobic, meaning they rely on oxygen. Too much water pushes the environment towards an anaerobic state, which isn't ideal for these organisms.

• Regular irrigation, on the other hand, that keeps the soil moist is generally beneficial. It promotes root growth, crop production, and increases the availability of organic matter for the soil biology.

While this doesn't pin down the exact amount of water our soil ecosystem loves, it's food for thought. Maybe it's time to roll up our sleeves, dig a little, and see firsthand how our soil's doing. How's it smelling? Feeling? Looking?

Your Two Cents?

We're all ears! Drop a comment and share your thoughts, field stories, or that one trick you swear by. Together, let's fine-tune our approach to watering and make every drop count!

🎥 For a deeper dive: check out the webinar snippet below. It zips right to 49:20 for the highlighted conversation.

❓ What question(s) do you have this week? Tell us here

Upskill 📚

NSW Macadamia Grower’s Guide 2023 👨‍🌾

While knee-deep in the content from The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (link), we stumbled upon this gem of a resource!

It's like a spa day for your farming brain. Dive in, have a massage… and come out wiser?

Anyway, there’s a reason we’ve put it under upskill. 😉

💡 Want a bonus tip? Forward Q.U.I.P.S. to two farmer friends and reply letting us know. We’ll reply with the tip 😁

Information ℹ️

The Who, What, Why, Where, and When of Soil Life

Part 2 & 3 🪱

⏮️ Missed the first part? Catch up here → [Q.U.I.P.S. Edition 23]

🔍 Quick Recap of the Soil Food Web's First Layer:

PRIMARY CONSUMERS / MICRO-ORGANISMS:

1.) Microbes:

• Aerobic: Love (thrive in) oxygen-rich environments and are generally beneficial.

• Anaerobic: Not fans of oxygen and can produce substances toxic to plants.

• Facultative Anaerobes: The adaptable ones, which can switch their respiration mode based on oxygen availability and include both harmful and beneficial microbes.

2.) The Magic of Fungi:

• They're the connectors, especially mycorrhizal fungi, helping plants absorb nutrients and water. They can break down complex materials and even extract minerals from rocks, making them accessible to plants.

3.) Soil Microbial Balance:

• The balance between bacteria and fungi in the soil can determine the type of vegetation it supports. Grasslands are the bacterial hubs, while forests are fungi-dominated.

4.) Practical Farming Insights:

• Mulching the soil surface promotes fungal growth, while incorporating it promotes bacterial dominance.

• Tilling the soil severs fungal hyphae, leading to bacterial-dominated soil.

• For those orchard farming, it's advisable to maintain a fungal-dominated soil, which can be achieved by leaving mulch on the surface.

End of recap.

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Last week, we promised a three-part deep dive into our soil ecosystem:

1. PRIMARY CONSUMERS / MICRO-ORGANISMS ✅ 

   Bacteria

   Fungi

   Archaea

   Algae

2. SECONDARY CONSUMERS / SOIL ANIMALS 

   Protozoa (single-celled organisms)

   Nematodes (tiny non-segmented worms)

   Mites & Springtails

   Spiders, insects & arthropods (invertebrates with segmented bodies)

3. HIGHER LEVEL CONSUMERS

   Earthworms

   Beetles

   Ants

   Birds

But why delay the good stuff? And since we’re on a roll, let's gear up for a big one and dive into the world of secondary and higher-level consumers! 🤓

While we could so easily get carried away here, let’s face it, we can't possibly cover everything that goes on in our soils.

And that would just be a snooze-fest!

So we're here to cut the fluff—provide the essentials, the actionable insights, and the knowledge to bring the much needed awareness, understanding and nurturing to the intricate soil web that sustains our very existence.

For the skeptics thinking this might be too 'basic' – hang tight. We're sure there'll be a pearl or two to spark your curiosity. 😉

🔦 In the spotlight:

SECONDARY & HIGHER LEVEL CONSUMERS

SECONDARY CONSUMERS:

• Protozoa: Tiny but fierce. They feast on bacteria, releasing nutrients that plants can absorb. More protozoa? That's a buffet for your crops.

• Nematodes: They’re not all pests! Beneficial nematodes feed on harmful soil organisms, helping to naturally control soil-borne pests.

• Mites, Springtails, and Arthropods: Nature's cleanup crew, that break down organic matter, turning it into plant-available nutrients. They are also knowns as natures 'taxi service' for the micro-organisms who need a lift across town.

• Spiders: Beyond being great pest controllers, spiders also play a role in breaking down organic matter.

Their modus operandi? A mix of physical (chewing) and chemical digestion.

HIGHER LEVEL CONSUMERS:

When we talk about higher level consumers in the soil ecosystem, we're referring to the more visible, often larger organisms such as:

• Earthworms 🪱: Nature's tillers, they aerate the soil, enhancing root growth and water infiltration.

• Beetles 🪲: These decomposers break down dead plants and animals, recycling them into plant food.

• Centipedes & Millipedes 🐛: Predators that help control the population of other pests.

• Ants 🐜: Their tunnels improve soil structure, and they play roles in organic matter dispersal.

• Moles 🐀: While they can be a nuisance, they aerate the soil and control insect populations.

• Crickets 🦗: They feed on plant material, aiding in decomposition.

• Birds 🦅: Many feed on pests, naturally controlling populations.

Why Should You Care? 🤔

• Increased Soil Fertility: These consumers unlock and release essential nutrients, leading to healthier plants and bumper yields.

• Natural Pest Control: Many of them are natural predators to pests, reducing the need for chemical interventions.

• Improved Soil Structure: Their activities promote good soil aggregation, which improves water retention and root penetration.

Actionable Tips for Your Farm 🚜

• Go Easy on Chemicals: Pesticides can be harmful to these beneficial beings. Consider organic or reduced-chemical farming practices.

• Feed the Soil: Compost, compost, compost! Add as much organic matter as possible to feed these microorganisms.

• Think Twice Before Tilling: It will disrupt their homes. Maybe it's time for no-till methods?

• Stay Informed: Regularly test and inspect your soil (yourself) to understand its health and the balance of organisms present.

👁️ For the visual learners among us, here's a treat:

Andy Murray, a renowned entomologist, writer, and macro photographer, offers a mesmerizing look into the world of soil mesofauna. His mission? To make us all understand, value and protect these often-overlooked soil inhabitants.

“Enjoy and appreciate the small things in your life. They’re often more important than you realise”.

This video was a highlight of the Global Symposium on Soil Biodiversity in April 2021.

Wrapping Up [READ THIS]:

The soil is a bustling metropolis of life, with each organism playing its part. It's an intricate web, where balance is key. Disrupt one, and the system can tip. As stewards of the land, our role is to understand and nurture this delicate web. When the soil thrives, everything it supports does too.

As we conclude this topic (for now 😉), we hope our discussions have shed light on the vibrant world beneath our feet and its impact on farming.

Always remember: the health of your soil directly translates to the wealth of your farm. It's not just about the crops above but the teeming life below.

Soil Health isn't just a term—it's our responsibility.

Let's ensure we heed it.

💡 A massive thanks to these valuable resources:

• The Nature Education

• Smiling Gardener

• Soil Science Society of America

• 59 Degrees

🧠 Did you know? Spiders are among the most voracious predators of agricultural pests. It's estimated that the world's spiders consume between 400 million and 800 million tons of prey every year, many of which are pests that can damage crops.

Picture 📷

Brews, Snoozes, and Dachshund Muses 🐶

When you go for that second morning cuppa and the dachshund's throwing you the 'where's mine?' look!

Mornings are ruff without coffee right?

#LoveYouLoooongTime ☕🐶

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That’s a wrap folks! We hope you enjoyed this week’s QUIPS.

Happy farming, deep learning, and warm smiles.

We'll see you next week! 🌱

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