Soil is alive: Biological, Physical, and Chemical Analysis

We analyzed soil samples from LA Pierce College and local farms. To assess life in the soil, 16S metabarcoding was performed. Industrial Hemp was grown traditionally at Western Fiber in Tulare CA; organic JinMa, a fiber variety, and CBD-type rootzone soil from The Rodale Institute at Camarillo CA was sampled. Noxious weeds in Marquis field at Pierce, soil from Pierce Arboretum, and a fallow proposed vineyard were also sampled. The purpose was to investigate the physical and chemical properties of soils from farms in California and to discover plant growth-promoting and antibiotic-producing bacteria from the rootzone. The hypothesis was that each environment would have a unique microbial community, and each of the fields would have similar fertility levels since they shared a prime farmland classification. We also hypothesized that the organic farm would have more diverse and abundant microbes performing ecological functions compared to the traditionally farmed soil. The main results indicated that there were significant differences in nitrogen, potassium, pH, and TDS between pairs of fields. The hypothesis was partially supported; organic matter and phosphorus levels were similar across farms. Potential plant growth-promoting bacteria and nitrogen fixers differed in proportion between sites. Greater than 80% of the Chitinophaga and 80% of the Agromyces reads identified in the study were from Camarillo, as well as more than 80% of the reads for Pseudomonas and greater than 60% of the Massilia sp. reads. The hypothesis that each environment would have a distinct community was partially supported. The hypothesis that the organic farm would have higher abundance and variety of microbes performing these functions was supported. The microbiome of hemp seemed to be more influenced by soil type and cropping method, rather than the genetic background of the cultivars. Soils need to be conditioned to retain their fertility. Periodic monitoring and monitoring before, during, and after cropping is recommended.