“
While a large number of proven beneficial
bacteria exist, fungi also contain some
HIGHLY EFFECTIVE SPECIES
that have been proven in both soil
and hydroponic systems.”
Once plants are established, carbon exudates from the roots
and sloughed off root material begin to provide organic
substances for microbes to grow and population numbers
then begin to build over time. Some microbial inoculants may
also be applied as seed coatings and commercially obtained
seed lots may be treated with inoculants aimed to improve
germination and seedling establishment rates through a
range of different processes including rot pathogen preven-
tion and root growth promotion.
Alongside commercial mixes of inoculants, microbes may
be introduced in a number of other ways — organic growers
are usually well-versed in the benefits of a fully mature
compost to provide beneficial microbial life and a well-
processed vermicast (worm castings) is an even richer source
of microflora. These can be mixed as a small percentage
(10-15 per cent) into hydroponic substrates such as coconut
fiber for use in hydroponic and hydro-organic systems to
provide an initial source of naturally occurring beneficial
microbes. In commercial production, and more commonly
52
Maximum Yield
The association between improved growth, quality and yields, and certain
beneficial bacteria species has been well documented.
these days with some smaller hydroponic systems, the use
of a slow sand filter system for disease suppression and
inoculation with beneficial microbes is one of the most
effective ways of obtaining a diverse population of beneficial
microflora. The sand filter system acts as a continuous source
of inoculation with beneficial species and is particularly
useful for solution culture systems where microbial life can
be more limited than in substrate-based hydroponic systems.