Food Web Program

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Food Web Program Outline Description and Functions of the Food Web

Components of the Food Web

COFI Food Web Program

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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.

4The Soil Biology Primer (Chapter 1): By Elaine R. Ingham

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Components of Soil Organic Matter

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

Soils with high organic matter content are the most productive, store more water and contribute to a better environment.

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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

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Increase in Active Fraction increases nutrients!

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COFI Food Web Program

Mission StatementCalifornia 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.

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Necessary Components of a Healthy Web

Organic Nutrients

Fertilizers

Minerals

Fertilizers

Biology (Microbes)

Compost &Compost Tea

Water

Irrigation

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Importance of Each Sector on the Food Web

Organic Nutrients

Fertilizers

Minerals

Fertilizers

Biology (Microbes)

Compost &Compost Tea

Water

Irrigation

Very High

Moderate

High Moderate

Manure/ CompostMicrobesOrganic Matter

Humus

NH4+

NO3-

Soil Particles

LeachingDenitrifi cation

DirectMicrobes Direct

Cation exchange

Direct

Direct

Plant Uptake

COFI Phyta-GrowMicrobes - Food

Amino Acids

Amines

NH4+

Soil Particles

NO3-

Leaching Denitrifi cation

Organic MatterHumus

Plant Residue Plant Residue

Microbes

Microbes

Cation exchange

Direct

DirectDirect

Microbes

Direct

Direct

Direct

MicrobesMicrobes

Direct

DirectMicrobes

Lost to atmosphereLost to atmosphere

Lost to ground waterLost to ground water

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Organic Fertilizer Rating California Organic Fertilizers, Inc. (COFI)

Organic and Natural OMRI – Listed NOP Soil Food Web Rating

61 Chemical Characteristics Biological Response Profile

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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

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Salt Index Ratings  Salt Index

Sodium Nitrate, 16.5% N 100

Potassium Sulfate, 50% K20, 18% S 42.6

Gypsum, 23% Ca, 17% S 8.1

Manure Salts, 20% 112.7

Manure Salts, 30% 91.9

Seabird Guano 12-12-1 42.9

Feather Meal 12% N 1.4

Bone Meal 3% N, 15% P2O5 1.8

Blood Meal 13% N, 1.5 P2O5 2.8

Meat & Bone Meal  8-5-1 3.9

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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.

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COFI Fertilizer Food Web Ratings

FFWR

Feather Meal 5.35

Seabird Guano 0.74

Bone Meal 4.85

Blood Meal 5.10

Meat & Bone Meal 5.13

Fish Solubles 1.48

Soybean Meal 3.38

Fish Meal (sardine) 5.35

Poultry Manure -9.12

Sodium Nitrate -9.92

Potassium Sulfate 0.09

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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 Rating61 Chemical CharacteristicsBiological Response Profile

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