SCD Bio Ag® Benefits

Researchers in Colombia tested SCD Bio Ag to determine the efficiency of the product in the composting process. The time of composting and also the physicochemical and microbiological parameters of the compost were tested. The materials used in the compost were cut grass, dry leaves, green branches, kitchen
waste, and other sources like harvest remains (pulps, rinds, seeds, etc.), The tests were performed after all matter had completely decomposed.

Results showed that the compost treated with SCD Bio Ag had a fast composting time of 35 days. Pathogens such as E.coli or Salmonella were not present in compost, and the heavy metals were below the limits of US Department of Agriculture Compost Heavy Metals Standards in the treated compost material.

Higher temperatures in the thermophilic range reduce the required retention time of compost. In the Colombia trial, the temperature of the compost was around 60 °C on the 12th day, and the compost was ready to use on the 35th day.

The optimal pH levels for composting range from 7.0 to
8.0. The pH of the treated compost was 7.61. Physicochemical parameters such as density, moisture,
electrical conductivity, and cationic capacity were found at desired values and denoted the quality of compost.

In general, the low C:N ratio (below 30:1) accelerates the rate of decomposition but may cause nitrogen loss leading to foul smelling conditions. The C:N ratio of the Bio Ag treated compost was 7:1 and without foul smelling, due to the help of beneficial microorganism’s odor control efficiency.

The heavy metals measured in the compost were
Cadmium which was at 4.9 ppm (limit is 10 ppm), Nickel at 53 ppm (limit is 200 ppm), Lead at 30 ppm (limit is 250 ppm), Copper at 119 ppm (limit is 1000 ppm) and Zinc at 40 ppm (limit is 2500 ppm), all below the limits of Standards.

Project
Intensive use of agro-chemicals over the past few decades has resulted in negative impacts on the environment and soil microbial diversity. Use of alternative management such as probiotics is believed to promote soil microbial diversity and enzymatic activity. Soil testing was conducted to see the effects on soil when using a microbial additive, SCD Bio Ag.

Objective
The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of SCD Bio Ag in promoting soil quality by evaluating its effects on soil microbial biomass, microbial community structure and soil enzymatic activities.

Methodology
To combat the detrimental effects that agro-chemicals have on soil microbial diversity, the Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Health Farm agreed to participate in a study that would test the effects of the probiotic solution SCD BioAg on their farm. The study site included twelve 3m x 8m plots with four treatments in randomized block design. Split applications of probiotics were applied September 2013 and May 2014. The treatments included a non-treated control (2400 mL/ha), treatment #1 (Trt 1; 144 mL/ha probiotic solution with 2256 mL/ha of water), treatment #2 (Trt 2; 216 mL/ha probiotic solution with 2184 mL/ha of water), and treatment #3 (Trt 3; 288 mL/ha of probiotic solution with 2112 mL/ha water). The application of SCD Bio Ag was based on 0, 60, 90 and 120 L/ha per year rates. After applications, soil microbial biomass and community structures were analyzed using phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Standard soil enzyme assays were used to assess microbial activity.

Results and Conclusion
After examining the results, significant differences were observed for total fungi and saprophytic fungi biomass. The Rhizobia levels in the soil bacteria in treatment #3 (Trt3) showed a tremendous increase during the study after the first split application on September 2013 (Trt3: 98.05 ng g-1 and Control: 18.72 ng g-1) (Fig. 1). Protozoa were higher in Trt3 (81 ng g-1) than control (36.61 ng g-1) in June. The significant differences were observed on soil enzymatic activity as ദ-glucosidase (5.19 μg) and FDA hydrolase (8270 μg) activities were higher in Trt3 than the control (respectively 4.63 μg and 5137 μg). Total microbial biomass had a strong positive correlation with total fungi, saprophytic fungi, rhizobia and protozoa biomass in Trt3. There was also a 20% increase in fungi to bacteria ratio from September 2013 to June 2014 in Trt3. Trt3 contains the highest amount of SCD Bio Ag in the mixture, suggesting a direct correlation between the increase of soil quality and SCD Bio Ag’s live microorganisms.