Soil Microbiology & Regenerative Agriculture: Unlock Soil's Potential With Microbes

Introduction:

Soil Microbiology & Regenerative Agriculture empowers professionals to harness the power of beneficial microbes for enhanced soil health and sustainable productivity. This course focuses on understanding soil microbial ecosystems, implementing regenerative agricultural practices, and leveraging microbial inoculants. Participants will learn to optimize soil biodiversity, improve nutrient cycling, and boost crop resilience. This course bridges the gap between conventional agriculture and the transformative potential of soil microbiology, enabling professionals to cultivate thriving, resilient, and productive agricultural systems.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for professionals involved in agriculture, soil science, and environmental sustainability, including:

• Farmers and Agricultural Producers
• Soil Scientists
• Agronomists
• Environmental Consultants
• Regenerative Agriculture Practitioners
• Researchers
• Educators
• Sustainability Managers

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this Soil Microbiology & Regenerative Agriculture course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles and functions of soil microbial ecosystems.
• Implement techniques for assessing soil microbial diversity and activity.
• Develop and implement regenerative agricultural practices that enhance soil microbial health.
• Understand the role of beneficial microbes in nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and plant growth promotion.
• Implement strategies for utilizing microbial inoculants (mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobia, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria).
• Understand the impact of agricultural practices (tillage, fertilization, pesticide use) on soil microbial communities.
• Implement strategies for restoring degraded soil microbial ecosystems.
• Understand the role of cover cropping, composting, and organic amendments in promoting soil microbial health.
• Implement strategies for integrating soil microbiology into farm and land management plans.
• Understand the economic and environmental benefits of harnessing beneficial microbes.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of microbial-based agricultural practices.
• Enhance their ability to design and implement effective microbial-based soil management systems.
• Improve soil health and crop productivity through the integration of soil microbiology.
• Contribute to the development of resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystems.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in soil microbiology and regenerative agriculture.
• Become a knowledgeable and effective microbial-based soil management professional.
• Understand ethical considerations in microbial inoculant use and soil ecosystem manipulation.
• Learn how to use soil microbial analysis tools and techniques effectively.

DURATION

10 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Introduction to Soil Microbiology and Regenerative Agriculture

• Overview of soil microbial ecosystems and their importance in soil health.
• Understanding the principles of regenerative agriculture and its relationship to soil microbiology.
• Introduction to key concepts (soil food web, microbial diversity, nutrient cycling).
• Review of relevant research and best practices.
• Setting the stage for unlocking soil's potential with microbes.

Module 2: Soil Microbial Diversity and Function

• Understanding the diversity of soil microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoa, nematodes).
• Analyzing the functional roles of different microbial groups in soil processes.
• Implementing techniques for assessing soil microbial diversity (DNA sequencing, phospholipid fatty acid analysis).
• Understanding the principles of soil food web dynamics.
• Understanding the importance of microbial community structure.

Module 3: Nutrient Cycling and Microbial Mediated Processes

• Understanding the role of microbes in nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon cycling.
• Analyzing the processes of mineralization, immobilization, and nitrification.
• Implementing techniques for assessing nutrient mineralization rates.
• Understanding the principles of microbial nutrient management.
• Understanding the importance of synchronizing nutrient release with crop demand.

Module 4: Beneficial Microbes and Plant Growth Promotion

• Understanding the mechanisms of plant growth promotion by beneficial microbes (rhizobia, mycorrhizal fungi, PGPR).
• Analyzing the role of microbial metabolites and signaling molecules.
• Implementing techniques for assessing plant growth promotion effects.
• Understanding the principles of microbial symbiosis.
• Understanding the importance of plant-microbe interactions.

Module 5: Microbial Inoculants: Production and Application

• Implementing techniques for producing and applying microbial inoculants (mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobia, PGPR).
• Analyzing the factors affecting inoculant viability and effectiveness.
• Understanding the principles of inoculant formulation and delivery.
• Implementing strategies for seed inoculation and soil application.
• Understanding the importance of inoculant quality control.

Module 6: Impact of Agricultural Practices on Soil Microbial Communities

• Understanding the impact of tillage, fertilization, and pesticide use on soil microbial communities.
• Analyzing the effects of conventional vs. regenerative agricultural practices on microbial diversity and function.
• Implementing techniques for assessing the impacts of agricultural practices on soil microbes.
• Understanding the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) and weed control.
• Understanding the importance of minimizing disturbance.

Module 7: Restoring Degraded Soil Microbial Ecosystems

• Implementing strategies for restoring degraded soil microbial ecosystems (eroded, compacted, contaminated).
• Utilizing techniques for soil bioremediation and revegetation.
• Analyzing the role of organic amendments and cover cropping in microbial restoration.
• Understanding the principles of ecological restoration.
• Understanding the importance of long-term restoration planning.

Module 8: Cover Cropping and Soil Microbial Health

• Understanding the role of cover cropping in promoting soil microbial health.
• Implementing techniques for selecting and managing cover crop species.
• Analyzing the effects of cover crops on soil microbial diversity and function.
• Understanding the principles of cover crop residue management.
• Understanding the importance of diverse cover crop mixtures.

Module 9: Composting and Microbial Diversity

• Understanding the role of composting in enhancing soil microbial diversity and function.
• Implementing techniques for producing high-quality compost.
• Analyzing the effects of compost application on soil microbial communities.
• Understanding the principles of compost tea and liquid extracts.
• Understanding the importance of compost maturity.

Module 10: Organic Amendments and Soil Food Web Dynamics

• Implementing strategies for utilizing diverse organic amendments (manure, biochar, vermicompost) to enhance soil food web dynamics.
• Analyzing the effects of organic amendments on soil microbial activity and biodiversity.
• Understanding the principles of soil food web management.
• Understanding the importance of amendment diversity.

Module 11: Integrating Soil Microbiology into Farm and Land Management Plans

• Implementing strategies for integrating soil microbiology into farm and land management plans.
• Utilizing techniques for developing whole-farm planning and adaptive management.
• Analyzing the role of participatory planning and stakeholder engagement.
• Understanding the principles of risk assessment and resilience planning.
• Understanding the importance of continuous improvement.

Module 12: Economic and Environmental Benefits of Harnessing Beneficial Microbes

• Implementing methodologies for evaluating the economic and environmental benefits of microbial-based agricultural practices.
• Utilizing cost-benefit analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA).
• Analyzing the role of ecosystem service valuation and environmental impact assessment.
• Understanding the principles of sustainable agriculture economics.
• Understanding the importance of long-term economic viability and environmental sustainability.

Module 13: Soil Microbial Analysis Tools and Techniques

• Implementing techniques for analyzing soil microbial properties (DNA sequencing, PLFA, enzyme assays).
• Utilizing tools for assessing microbial biomass, activity, and diversity.
• Analyzing the role of bioinformatics and data analysis in soil microbiology.
• Understanding the principles of laboratory and field-based microbial analysis.
• Understanding the importance of quality control.

Module 14: Case Studies and Best Practices in Soil Microbiology and Regenerative Agriculture

• Analyzing real-world case studies of successful microbial-based agricultural practices.
• Learning from best practices across different regions and sectors.
• Identifying key lessons learned and challenges in implementation.
• Discussing the role of innovation and adaptation.
• Sharing knowledge and experience.

Module 15: Future Trends and Action Planning for Microbial-Based Soil Management

• Exploring emerging trends and opportunities in soil microbiology and regenerative agriculture (metagenomics, synthetic biology, precision agriculture).
• Developing action plans for advancing microbial-based soil management within organizations and communities.
• Analyzing the role of individual and collective action.
• Understanding how to stay up to date on soil microbiology and regenerative agriculture information.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 5 working days before commencement of the training.