At ForestFoods, our commitment to sustainability is rooted deep within the earth—literally. Our recent collaboration with the CIFOR-ICRAF Living Soils Laboratory has provided us with groundbreaking insights into the health of our soil, particularly focusing on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), a key indicator of soil vitality and ecosystem function.
Why Focus on AMF?
AMF play a crucial role in enhancing nutrient uptake, improving plant health, and increasing resistance to environmental stresses. By forming symbiotic relationships with plant roots, these fungi extend far into the soil, accessing nutrients that plants cannot reach on their own. This not only boosts plant growth but also enhances soil structure and fertility.
Our Findings:
Football Pitch Tree Line: 277 spores/50g of soil
Football Pitch Veggies: 473 spores/50g of soil
Shamba Tree Line: 193 spores/50g of soil
Shamba Veggies: 195 spores/50g of soil
These results, diligently analyzed by ICRAF's state-of-the-art facilities, show significant levels of AMF across various sections of our farm. ICRAF, the only laboratory in Kenya equipped to perform such detailed soil health analyses, employs advanced techniques like wet sieving, decanting, and sucrose density gradient centrifugation to ensure precise spore counts.
ICRAF’s Testing Capabilities:
The CIFOR-ICRAF Living Soils Laboratory offers a comprehensive array of analyses beyond AMF, including bacterial and fungal ratios, nematode identification, and soil macrofauna assessments. These tests are crucial for understanding the complete biological makeup of our soils, guiding our regenerative practices to foster not just plant growth, but an entire living ecosystem beneath our feet.
This partnership not only underscores our dedication to scientific rigor but also our commitment to transparency and education in our journey towards truly sustainable agriculture. By understanding and sharing the intricacies of soil health, we empower ourselves and our community to make informed, impactful decisions for the future of our planet.
Are you interested in learning more about how to improve your soil health and create a thriving ecosystem for your crops? Then sign up for upcoming Syntropic Agroforestry Courses by clicking on the button below
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