The Enzyme Advantage
Chandler Soil has an enzyme-based formulation that enhances microbial activity and soil health. The enzyme advantage has four distinct components. First, Chandler Soil multiplies the broad spectrum of beneficial microbes involved in soil health and crop production. Second, enzymes are chemically stable and are largely unaffected by other chemicals. So, the product can be effectively used in combination with pesticides, liquid fertilizers, and other crop inputs. Third, the Chandler products have a long shelf-life (usually at least 4 years). The products are only damaged by exposure to very high temperatures (greater than 140 degrees F). Finally, Chandler Soil is not quickly degraded in the field, so it has an impact on microbial activity throughout the entire crop season.
Full season performance
To illustrate the impact of Chandler Soil throughout the crop season, Chandler conducted some early field trials in an untreated soybean field. Chandler Soil was applied to half of the plots in early May. Soybeans were planted in the treated and untreated plots soon afterwards. Soil samples were drawn from the plots every two weeks through the season, and these samples were sent to a soil lab for analysis. The number of colonies for each major group of beneficial microbes (actinomycetes, bacteria, and fungi) were counted for each sample and recorded. The colony counts for the treated plots are depicted with solid dots in the following figures, and the data for the untreated plots are represented with open dots. Note that the plots are presented in logarithmic scale, so change of one unit on this scale represents a 1000-time difference in the counts.
Actinomycetes
Actinomycetes are a type of bacteria that are critically important for crop residue decay. They generate the earthy smell in freshly turned soil. Also, their colonies may be seen as the grey filaments in a compost pile.
Bacteria
There are many distinct species of soil bacteria, and these are the most numerous soil microbes. Some bacterial species are involved in nutrient mineralization that converts soil nutrients to the form used by plants.
Fungi
Fungal hyphae can extend several feet through the soil to carry water and nutrients back to the plant. Fungal species are also critically important for crop residue decay.
Summary
As expected from a fair test, the colony counts for the treated and untreated plots were equal at the start of the season in May. However, the counts in the treated plots quickly rose above the untreated counts. At the peak, Chandler Soil increased the number of actinomycetes and fungal colonies by 1000 times and the number of bacterial colonies by 300 times. Further, the difference between the treated and untreated counts persisted through the entire crop season from May to October. Thus, Chandler Soil enhances microbial activity and soil health throughout the crop season.