Join us on July 19th at the PEI Potato Board Meeting Room (90 Hillstrom Avenue in the West Royalty Business Park) at 7:00 pm for an informative lecture with Pius Floris and Johan Middelkamp from the Netherlands on the dynamics of soil biology. Pius will speak about soil health and offer practical approaches to improving soil quality (and consequently the quality of the harvested products). They will also talk about soil preparation and weed control.
Pius Floris is a well-known and respected scientist with Plant Health Cure and has a specialized understanding of the role of healthy soils in sustainable farming systems. He has participated in global research projects in 23 countries, from Iceland to Ethiopia and from Norway to Australia. Pius is frequently asked to speak to study clubs of all kinds across Europe. Pius and Johan promise to have a lively and entertaining presentation including information on the production of mycorrhizae and beneficial, specialized root bacteria; and, their role in the soil when combined with compost and other organic fertilizers (i.e. livestock and green manures). They promise an engaging and entertaining evening with several practical approaches to improving the soil health and performance on Island farms.
Contact Karen at the PEI COPC at: research [at] organicpei [dot] com or (902) 894-9999 to reserve your spot.
DID YOU KNOW …… that there are up to 10 billion bacteria cells in a gram of soil around plant roots in a region known as the rhizosphere? Many of them appear to suppress disease by excreting substances that fight of pathogenic microbes or occupy areas that would otherwise be filled by pathogens. Studies have shown that up to 30% of the carbon fixed by plants is actually released by the roots to feed beneficial microbes while repelling and killing harmful organisms.