Plants and Organic Matter

 

It's easy for humans to think of plants and organic matter as separate from the soil, but that really couldn't be further from the truth. Plants, lichens, and other organic material are produced from the resources that come from the soil, and then slowly but surely decay and return those resources through natural decomposition. 

 

The ways that plants tend to interact with the soil are described by the term "plant-soil feedback", or instances in which changes to soil properties that are caused by plants in turn influence the performance of plant growth and health. 

 

Through plant-soil feedback, we can analyze the biological life within the soil and associate certain populations with benefits or detriments to plant growth. Through the process of microscopy, analysis, and plant-soil feedback experimentation, it's now possible for us to develop and culture specific bio-extracts and teas to specialized plants on varying scales!