Founded in 2008, Applied Bio-Minerals, Inc. specializes in managing naturally present microbiomes using mixtures of mined minerals.
The company’s operating mode is based on observations, and a close collaboration with the customer. The holistic approach enables farmers to use microbes already present on their farm to their benefit by lowering their inputs and maximizing their revenues, all naturally. As part of the service provided to customers, the company regularly measures progress to ensure the farmer’s goals are met.
Their approach is to examine the entire living soil profile and record its evolution from a baseline set before the application of products. Among the many variables one is essential, the amount of living micro-organisms, and the ratio between bacteria and fungi, at various soil depths.
That is where microBIOMETER® comes in. They have been utilizing the microBIOMETER® soil test in their business since 2020.
“microBIOMETER® is a very convenient tool to have a quick result (in the field) on microbes and allows decisions and adjustments in conducting the field as the season progresses or from one season to the next. Microbial life might sometimes be surprisingly active in depth (here a vineyard). The importance of checking compost quality also underlines the usefulness of the microBIOMETER®” – Herve Bonin, co-founder and managing partner of Applied Bio-Minerals, Inc.
About Applied Bio-Minerals, Inc.
Data from Applied Bio-Minerals, Inc. customer in Virginia
Kenley Mitchell, a 5th grader at Sargent Elementary School, utilized microBIOMETER® in her science fair project titled “Getting Dirty: Does Soil Affect a Dog’s Microbiome?” Kenley won first prize in her category and received the overall best project award for the San Luis Valley Regional in Alamosa, CO!
Project Abstract:
For my project, I tested a dog’s microbiome and compared it to the health of the dog’s soil. I also looked at the time the dog spends in the soil. I ran two samples. The first sample was a stool sample. The second sample was a soil sample. Both were taken at the same time. I tested dogs that are in the city vs. country dogs. I found out that farm dogs have a healthier microbiome, but city dogs have healthier soil. The farm dogs’ average microbial biomass in the soil is 221.0 ug C/g. The city dogs’ average microbial biomass in the soil is 273.4 ug C/g. Farm dogs average for F% is 20%. City dogs average for F% is 32%. Farm dogs average for B% is 80%. City dogs average for B% is 68%. The farm dogs were outside in the soil for longer periods of time. The farm dogs might be healthier due to spending more time in the soil.
