In recent years more and more producers are
becoming concerned with “soil health” and an awareness of soil as more
than just “dirt”. Dr. Kristine Nichols, Soil
Microbiologist with the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory in Mandan, ND since 2003, is
widely recognized as a leading researcher and scientist in the area of
“living soil”. Dr. Nichols’ work relating to the living
organisms in the soil and their influence on plant nutrients and
nutrient uptake is having a great impact on our understanding of soil
health as it pertains to plant growth.
As a participant in the Visiting Scientist
Series at Bismarck State College, Dr. Nichols will be presenting “Living
Soil: Where does our food ‘purchase’ nutrients?”
There are more living organisms in a teaspoon
of healthy soil than there are people on Earth. The organisms in the
soil work with chemical and physical processes to create soil aggregates
which are pellets of soil material. Bacteria and fungi live within the
aggregates and break down organic matter and soil minerals to provide
nutrients for plants.
In this series, Dr. Nichols will explain how
organisms 20 to 100 times smaller than the width of a strand of hair can
improve the economic and environmental sustainability of food
production.
The presentation will take place Thursday,
October24th, 6:30pm at Bismarck State College, National Energy Center of
Excellence, Basin Electric Auditorium, Room 304. It is
free and open to the public. If you will be in the Bismarck area and can
find the time it will be well worth your time to hear Dr. Nichols.
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