Soil Nematodes Assessment
Nematodes are our friends
Healthy soil is home to a multitude of beneficial nematodes, such as bacterial-feeding, fungal-feeding, and predatory nematodes. They play an essential role in nutrient cycling, pathogen and parasite control in soil.
The term “nematodes” has a negative connotation because of parasitic root-feeding nematodes that can be detrimental to crops when conditions in soil go out-of-balance. But even root-feeding nematodes are natural dwellers of the soil and have a place in a healthy farm ecosystem. Very small numbers of root-feeding nematodes (less that one nematode per gram of soil) are actually beneficial to a crop productivity!
What is included in the assessment
The assessment includes the counts (number per gram of soil) of:
beneficial bacterial-feeding nematodes
beneficial fungal-feeding nematodes
beneficial predatory nematodes
parasitic root-feeding nematodes
A Nematode Count Report will present the assessment results in relation to the target numbers for optimal growth of a crop.
Step-by-Step Process
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1. Request an assessment
Please, fill out the request form below. If you already know how many samples you need, we will email you an invoice. If you are unsure how many samples you need, we will call you to discuss that.
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2. Collect your sample(s)
Please, collect your samples the same day as you ship them. Follow the instructions in the Sample Collection Protocol below.
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3. Ship Your Sample(s)
An overnight shipping is ideal and will provide the most accurate results, but 2-3 day delivery is acceptable for solid samples in cooler months. Please, print, fill out, and attach the Microscope Analysis Submission Form (below) with your sample(s).
Please, send us the tracking number when your samples are shipped.
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4. Receive your results
Results will be emailed to you within 2 days of us receiving the sample(s)