Date: 9-May Sample: 5 day old compost compilation Notes about sample: ALL ASSESSMENTS DONE AT 400X TOTAL

MAGNIFICATION Dilution used: Field # Bacterial # Actinobacteria Bacterial size/shape Dilution used for fungi: Fungal Diameters / color 1 to 10 0 0 0 1 1 7 1 1:10 for bacteria 1 2 400 500 Could stop at 5 fields for bacterial count 5 6 7 500 400 500

3 600

4 400

Dilution used for protozoa: Flag & Am Ciliates F, A, 0 Scan the slide at 1:5 dilution Nematodes B, F, P, R B

1 to 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

22

Bacteria should always be above 600,000,000

But then: Always require more than 300 ug per gram soil for healt Must balance with fungi for the plant desired Less than 300 ug, will have trouble holding nutrients, wi

Bacteria need to be properly balanced with fungi BASED ON THE PLANT DESIRED Protozoa and nematodes conv ag weeds annuals:; vegetables productive pasture: shrubs, decid forest CILIATES SHOULD NOT BE PRESENT FOLLOWING IS FOR FLAGELLATES AND AMOEBAE no prots, no good nemas Less than 0.7 per field 1 to 1.5 per field IN SPRING 1.5 to 5 per field IN GROWING SEASON 3 or more per field through the growing season OR

conifer/old growth

EITHER 1 to 2 protozoa per field OR

TEST FOR YOUR particular dropper

1 drop of sample, multiply by 20 2 drops, multiply by 10 drops in a

at 5 fields for bacterial count 8 9 400 300

10 500

11

12

13

14

15

16

0 0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0

han 300 ug per gram soil for healthy systems, unless weeds desired gi for the plant desired have trouble holding nutrients, will have poor soil structure, will have trouble protecting roots

owing season OR

NEMATODES Root-feeders present Root-feeders typically present At least 1 bacterial feeder and possibly fungal feeders present 1 - 2 bacterial feeder and possibly fungal feeders present 1 to 5 bacterial-feeders, 1 to 3 fungal-feeders; 1 predatory nematode desirable

1 to 5 bacterial-feeders, 1 to 3 fungal-feeders; 1 predatory nematode desirable

1 drop of sample, multiply by 20 drops in a ml 2 drops, multiply by 10 drops in a ml Dilution factor 10 5

17

18

19

Mean 20 of 20 fields 450.0 #DIV/0!

StDev 85.0 #DIV/0!

Mean # fungal strands 1 2.16

10

0.10 0.10

0.32 0.32

5 5

22.00

160 = #of fields in at 18 X 18 mm coverslip 240 = # fields in a 22 X 18 mm cover slip 1 bacterium on average weighs 2 picograms Organisms per gram Micrograms per g or ml 14 #DIV/0!

Each strand observed = 2.5 ug/gram of fungal bio

7,200,000 #DIV/0!

Fungal strands / gram 32000

Micrograms of fungi per gm or ml 2640

avg diameter 2 2.5 3 3.5

1 fungal strand is assumed to be at least 50 um long. 2.5 um diameter I cubic cm of fungal biomass = 0.33 g per cubic cm

1600 1600

110.0

m on average weighs 2 picograms

d observed = 2.5 ug/gram of fungal biomass on average

Mult factor 0.00000016 0.00000025 0.00000035 0.00000048