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Food Web Program. Food Web Program Outline. Description and Functions of the Food Web Components of the Food Web COFI Food Web Program. What is the Food Web?.
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Food Web Program Outline • Description and Functions of the Food Web • Components of the Food Web • COFI Food Web Program
What is the Food Web? • An incredible diversity of organisms make up the food web. They range in size from the tiniest one-celled bacteria, algae, fungi, and protozoa, to the more complex nematodes and micro-arthropods, to the visible earthworms, insects, small vertebrates, and plants.
Components of Soil Organic Matter Soils with high organic matter content are the most productive, store more water and contribute to a better environment. The Soil Biology Primer (Chapter 1): By Elaine R. Ingham and Small Organisms in the Soil Affect the Environment in Big Ways: www.iaswcd.org
Why is a Healthy Food Web Important? • Improves Soil Structure • Improves Water Retention • Increases Oxygen • Increases Nutrient Availability and Cycling • Increases Active Fraction of Organic Matter
COFI Food Web Program • Mission Statement California Organic Fertilizers, Inc. utilizes food web-compatible inputs to increase/improve the physical and biological structure of the soil resulting in improved yield and quality.
Importance of Each Sector on the Food Web Very High Moderate High Moderate
Goals of Soil Food Web Plan • Increase organic matter • Reduce salts and other negative items • Increase biological diversity • Increase biological activity • Increase “Active” fraction of organic matter • Increase availability of plant nutrients • Increase crop yield and quality
Components of the COFI Soil Food Web Plan • Soil Analysis • Geography – Climate Zones – Air/Soil Temperature • Crop Type/Planting Date/Days to Harvest • Water Quality/Irrigation Method • Fertilizer
Soil Analysis • Determine the health of your soil • Are the soil organisms – the soil food web – present in the right forms and at the right rates? • How can we best feed your soil’s food web? • Nutrient Analysis and other standard tests
Geography – Climate Zones • Zone 1: Snowy winter climate, high elevation, and a very short growing season (75-150 days) characterize this zone. Zone 1 is the coldest of the western snowy winter regions. • Zone 2: Snowy winter climate with lower elevations and consequently, higher winter temperatures than Zone 1. Winter temperatures range from -3 to -34ºF for a 20 year period. Growing season is from May through September. • Zone 3: Mildest of the snowy winter climate zones. Slightly lower elevation than Zone 2 combined with the influence of Pacific air moderates winter temperatures (10 to 15ºF). Growing season is generally from May through September. • Zone 4: Western Washington and British Columbia. • Zone 5: Northwest coast with marine influence. Minimum temperatures range from 28 to 1ºF over a 20 year period. Growing season is typically March through November. • Zone 6: Willamette Valley, Oregon. • Zone 7: Low elevations of the Rogue Valley, Oregon and middle elevations of California’s low mountains comprise this climate zone. Hot summers and mild, but pronounced winters (lows range from 23 to 9ºF). Growing season is from May through September, and often into October. • Zone 8: Cold-air basins of California’s Central Valley. Winter lows range from 29 to 13ºF over a 20 year period. Summer daytime temperatures are high and sun is nearly constant throughout the growing season (February through November). Long, hot summers. Tule fog appears often during winter months. This information is a summary of the Sunset Western Garden Book's climate zones.
Crop Type/Planting Date/Days to Harvest • The crop type, planting date and days to harvest will help us determine which product will increase the plant’s efficiency and yield.
Water Quality/Irrigation Method • The irrigation method used will also help us to determine which product will aid in the overall improvement of your soil health.
COFI Soil Rating • Chemical Analysis • Biological Analysis This is based on a scale of 1 (highest quality rating) to 10(lowest quality rating). Currently, this rating is an arbitrary number determined by our agronomist and the grower after review of the above tests.
Organic Fertilizer Rating • California Organic Fertilizers, Inc. (COFI) • Organic and Natural • OMRI – Listed • NOP • Soil Food Web Rating • 61 Chemical Characteristics • Biological Response Profile
COFI Fertilizer Food Web Rating System • Chemical Characteristics (61) • Salt index • Nutrient Analysis • C:N • Energy Content • Biological Characteristics • Existing Organisms (native and added) • Microbial Growth Response • Plant Growth Response
COFI Fertilizer Food Web Rating (FFWR) • Our Fertilizer Food Web Rating (FFWR) System takes into consideration a multitude of quantifiable variables. • Our FFWR is based upon scientific data. • Our FFWR is a number designed to be multiplied by the quantity of the input used. The totals from the combined inputs results in a value that may be compared to other possible nutrient programs. The higher the number, the better the program.
COFI Soil Food Web Plan (FWP) • All of the factors discussed in the previous sections will be used to develop a unique food web plan for your specific needs. • Food Web Soil Rating • Geography – Climate Zones – Air/Soil Temperature • Crop Type/Planting Date/Days to Harvest • Water Quality/Irrigation Method • Fertilizer Program Analysis • Fertilizer Food Web Rating • 61 Chemical Characteristics • Biological Response Profile