Free Daily Podcast Summary
In Search of Soil: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Diego Footer
Get key takeaways, quotes, and insights from In Search of Soil in a 5-minute read. Delivered straight to your inbox.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Jul 29, 20231h 14m
Soil Macrofauna with Dr. Adriano Sofo - ISOS S2 #10
In this episode of In Search of Soil, we're talking to Italian soil Scientist Dr. Adriano Sofo to shed some light on the importance of soil macrofauna, earthworms, beetles, ants, and the like, and their roles in building healthier soil for more sustainable agriculture. Dr. Adriano Sofo is an associate professor in the University of Basilicata in Matera, Italy. Cited more than four thousand times, his research interests include plant-soil interactions, biogeochemistry, and environmental botany. With a passion for educating, he believes that information dissemination is the key to creating a more sustainable and regenerative agricultural landscape. List of Dr. Adriano Sofo's Works WATCH FULL EPISODES YouTube https://bit.ly/watchISOS SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests LEARN MORE → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → FB Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup In this episode of In Search of Soil Traditional agricultural practices that deplete soil organic matter and biodiversity How Dr. Sofo defines minimum till The band of soil that plays the greatest role in agronomy and the band of soil you don't want to disturb Incorporating organic matter into the soil vs. leaving organic matter on the soil surface Completely wet soil vs. wet soil surface: is there a difference in plant health? It all depends on the root morphology and root architecture How different irrigation systems can affect plant growth Will tillage dry out soil faster? Why isn't sustainable agriculture viewed as a better option? Why do farmers still subscribe to conventional farming practices? The soil has as much carbon as the biosphere and the atmosphere The importance of soil microfauna, mesofauna, macrofauna, and megafauna The roles that earthworms play in soil health What roles do ants play in soil health? Who aerates the soil more, earthworms or ants? How to increase the earthworm population in your soils Why does the soil collapse with tillage but maintains its structure with the macrofauna? Speeding up the reversal of compaction Aerating the soil with a broadfork Is it possible to get to a point where you can let nature take care of the soil? Choosing the gentle approach over the harsh approach Organic matter in soil: layering vs. mixing Defining sustainable agriculture today What Dr. Adriano Sofo wants farmers to know
- Jul 22, 20231h 2m
The Science of EM (Essential Microorganisms) with Dr. Matthew Wood - ISOS S2 #9
In this episode of In Search of Soil, we're talking to one of the pioneers in developing probiotic technology, Dr. Matthew Wood, to shed some light on what efficient microbes (EM) are, what they do to the soil, and how our soils can benefit from adding them. Dr. Matthew Wood earned his Bachelor's degree in Soil and Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his Master's degree working under Dr. Teruo Higa from the University of Ryukus in Okinawa, Japan. His work in probiotics resulted in global engagements in many fields including microbiology, agriculture, and human health. In 2004, he founded SCD Probiotics where they develop and commercialize consortia fermentation technologies for multiple industries. More on microbes at SCD Probiotics: https://www.scdprobiotics.com/ WATCH FULL EPISODES YouTube https://bit.ly/watchISOS SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests LEARN MORE → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → FB Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup In this episode of In Search of Soil Dr. Matthew Wood's interest in the soil sciences Studying in Japan and working with Dr. Teruo Higa Notable findings working with Dr. Teruo Higa An increase in the diversity index Plant-microbe communication What is EM? The concept of consortia in the context of microbes The whole is greater than the sum of individual parts The question of the purity of cultures What happens in the transition microbes go through Cultured microbes adapting to the soil pH Stimulating the biology in the soil Observing a single microorganism would yield different findings versus observed together with other microorganisms What EM will do to the microfauna in your local soil A potential reason why EM hasn't been adopted widely An article about classifying soils based on which microbes were dominant in the system How long before seeing the long-term changes made by EM SCD Probiotics approach: biochemical products that act like chemicals Breaking the business: industrial, agricultural, consumer Culturing out mother cultures and lowering the cost per application Dr. Matthew Woods' SCD product recommendations to start with Using beneficial microorganisms as foliar feed Ways that beneficial microbes push out
- Jul 15, 20231h 12m
The Science of Biochar with Dr. Kurt Spokas - ISOS S2 #8
In this episode of In Search of Soil, we're talking to soil scientist Dr. Kurt Spokas of the United States Department of Agriculture to walk us through what biochar is, what it can potentially do, and what its limitations are when it comes to applying it to agricultural production. Dr. Kurt Spokas is a soil scientist at the United States Department of Agriculture who has dedicated years of research on the impact of farming practices on the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and other greenhouse gases, including transport and surface exchange of greenhouse gases. His areas of interest include biogeochemistry, contaminant hydrology and water quality, and soil physics. Dr. Spokas' Publications: https://www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/stpaul/swmr/people/kurt-spokas/publications/ WATCH FULL EPISODES YouTube https://bit.ly/watchISOS SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests LEARN MORE → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → FB Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup In this episode of In Search of Soil Any changes in what we know about biochar in the last 10 years? Questions that still remain around biochar Why we can't yet answer how biochar works Biochar: a positive, a negative, or neither? Potential negatives of biochar that can possibly hinder plant growth Dr. Kurt Spokas' research on biochar on the nitrogen cycle Biochar to potentially mitigate nitrous oxide emissions The variability between biochars The differences and nuances of variability between biochars Variably defined biochars in different studies Aged biochars What changes are happening in a biochar undergoing oxidation? Biochar for agriculture before completely understanding what it is and what it does No two biochars are the same Is there a sweet spot for feedstock materials to use as biochar? Silica deficiency in soils Silica entering the soil Scientific knowns when it comes to biochar Biochar's potential as construction material Can you use biochar as a substitute in a potting mix? Can a small amount of biochar make a difference? Is more biochar better than less biochar? Adding the bio to the char to become biochar Why nutrients attach to biochars Surface area of organic matter vs. surface area of biochar How long can the carbon in biochar sit in the soil? What makes the carbon in biochar unique Gradual breaking down of carbon over time Adding carbon now via biochar is adding carbon later Biochar and beneficial agricultural microbial groups Amazonian soils, Terra Preta, and biochar Was adding charcoal to the soil actually intentional? Can we say the char actually made the soils better? Higher microbial populations, slower carbon turnover The microbe population that appears high in Terra Preta soils To add or not to add biochar to your farmland? Potential negative to adding biochar A key piece of information to quantifying biochar and its effects Reproducibili
- Jul 8, 20231h 34m
The Role of Clay in Soils with Dr. David Laird - ISOS S2 #7
In this episode of In Search of Soil, we're talking to Dr. David Laird of Iowa State University to shed some light on what it means to have clay soil, what its benefits and drawbacks are on agricultural production, as well as de-mystifying some common misconceptions on clay soils. Dr. David Laird is a professor at Iowa State University Department of Agronomy. As a soil scientist, he has authored and co-authored more than 120 journal articles and book chapters on many subjects, most notably on clay mineralogy. Dr. Laird's research interests include carbon sequestration, chemical, mineralogical, and surface properties of soil clays, nutrient leaching, and the impact of biochar on soil quality, among many others. Dr. David Laird's Publications WATCH FULL EPISODES YouTube https://bit.ly/watchISOS SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests LEARN MORE → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → FB Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup In this episode of In Search of Soil Common misconceptions around clay from an agricultural producer standpoint Clays evolve over time How clays affect agricultural productivity Why cation exchange capacities of clay are important in agriculture Minerals: sand vs. clay Quartz particle size and clay particle size The time it takes for a clay to dissolve like a quartz would Factors affecting the evolution of clay in the Great Plains and the variation of clay and mineral contents across geographies Will a plant be able to tell the difference between clays and will there be a difference in performance? Are minerals in clay biologically available for microbial use? Incredibly weathered soil in the tropics and yet it supports the greatest biome on the planet An ecosystem with stable and accessible nutrients The process of smectites being broken down What in biology breaks the smectite bonds? How can a positively charged ion knock off a negatively charged ion if they're equal strength? Plant absorbing the nutrients knocked off the smectites Soil evolution and why row crop soils tend to acidify What happens to the clay when plants are introduced into the soil? Can you turn a sandy soil into a more productive loam by adding in clay? Clay is good, but there's such a thing as too much clay Would it make sense to add sand to a clay-heavy soil? Can roots make a difference in breaking up a clay-heavy soil? Interactions between clay in the soil and organic matter The dynamic changes occurring between clay and organic matter Does clay always protect organic matter? Comparing the cation exchange capacity between clays and organic matter Roots proceed down the path of least resistance Comparing the surface area of clay vs. the surface area of organic matter
- Jul 1, 20231h 10m
Applying Better Soil Microbes with Dr. Jane Fife - ISOS S2 #6
In this episode of In Search of Soil, we're talking to 3Bar Biologic's Dr. Jane Fife to shed some light on microbial biologics, realistic expectations of what they can do to our soils and our crops, and a little bit about the biological products industry. Dr. Jane Fife is the Chief Science Officer at 3Bar Biologics as well as an Adjunct Faculty at The Ohio State University. With more than twenty years of applied research experience, she is a proven leader in research in agricultural application technologies, biologics, and precision agriculture. Her main points of interest include more targeted delivery of agricultural inputs for safer, more sustainably produced food. More on 3Bar Biologics: https://www.3barbiologics.com/ WATCH FULL EPISODES YouTube https://bit.ly/watchISOS SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests LEARN MORE → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → FB Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup In this episode of In Search of Soil The limitations of applying biologicals to the seed coat and as a soil surface spray Opening the spectrum of microbial biologicals by adjusting the time of application Ohio State University and how 3Bar Biologics came to be How difficult is it to culture beneficial microbes? Dry formulations of microbials Efficacy between wet and dry-formulated products Regionality and efficacy of microbes Realistic expectations in applying microbial biologicals A sweet spot where microbes can really help How much agricultural practices affect the microbes already present in the soil Will there be significant improvements on the crop if there were no application constraints on microbial biologicals? How much microbes are taken in by the plant through foliar feeding? Effectivity of foliar feeding vs. root feeding How much of the biologicals is actually wasted in the soil? Why can't soil microbes stay and proliferate in the soil if they're already soil-borne? Healthiest when there's a large diversity of microbes Soil organisms that proved to be interesting hence 3Bar was born What live microbe technology would look like on the farm Grow the microbes as close to the point of use as possible 3Bar's Biostimulant Are microbial biologicals targeted for specific crops? Optimum application for microbial biologicals For transplanted crops, would it make sense to apply microbials in a nursery setting? What information should growers look for when seeking out microbial biologicals? Snake oil, regulations, and the agricultural microbials industry Having appropriate and realistic expectations with 3Bar's microbial technology Farmers willing to try and experiment in their own farms and see for themselves Where would the agricultural microbials industry be in 10 years' time? The rough cost per acre of application of 3Bar's microbial technologies Where to go to learn more about 3Bar, what they're doing, and what they're offering
- Jun 24, 20231h 24m
Benefits of Trichoderma with Dr. Gary Harman - ISOS S2 #5
In this episode of In Search of Soil, we have Dr. Gary Harman of Cornell University on the show to talk about what Trichoderma is, what it does to the soil and all the benefits that it brings to plants and crops. Dr. Gary Harman is a Professor Emeritus at Cornell University College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, School of Integrative Plant Science. His fields of specialization include biological control systems, plant-microbe interactions, and fungal genetics. With more than forty years' worth of research under his belt, he has published more than 150 on these topics, most notably on agriculturally beneficial Trichoderma species. Purchase Trichoderma (Rootshield) WATCH FULL EPISODES YouTube https://bit.ly/watchISOS SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests LEARN MORE → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → FB Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup In this episode of In Search of Soil Diego introduces the episode and the guest, Dr. Gary Harman What is trichoderma? The interest in trichoderma for agricultural purposes Wild-type species of trichoderma and strain-specific agricultural benefits The role of trichoderma in the soil microbiome Beneficial trichoderma species naturally occurring in agricultural soils The dominance of trichoderma over disease-causing fungi Trichoderma induced plants to control disease Trichoderma helps plants suppress diseases Having the pathogens stick around vs. killing them off Gene priming and upstream regulation of RNA Trichoderma feedback from plants No evolutionary feedback with the trichoderma How effective is trichoderma in increasing plant resistance to known plant diseases? The difference between disease resistance as a trait vs. disease resistance through gene priming from trichoderma When a farmer doesn't want to add trichoderma but wants to encourage the microbiome already in their soil Externally adding trichoderma to soils How vast can trichoderma grow to? Increased root growth with trichoderma Mineral nutrition and trichoderma Our current understanding of plant-microbe interactions Trichoderma are not mycorrhiza Why trichoderma can be cultured outside a host Adding trichoderma at the seed level Biologicals: inconsistent at best, snake oil at worst <spa
- Jun 17, 20231h 13m
Regenerative Soils with Dr. Gabe Kenne - ISOS S2 #4
In recent years, there's been a visible shift of farmers and growers, especially the younger ones, moving into more regenerative agricultural practices. That as may be, there are still a sizeable amount of growers who are firm in their conventional practices for one reason or another. In this episode of In Search of Soil, we're talking to Dr. Gabe Kenne of the University of South Carolina to share a bit about trialing different growing practices involving tillage, no-till, and cover crops, as well as some of the nuances behind the varied soil tests we can get for our land. Dr. Gabe Kenne is a Postdoctoral Researcher and Soil Molecular Biologist whose field of interest includes examining ways to better understand healthy soils in agricultural systems and how to subsequently promote agricultural practices that are environmentally responsible and sustainable. Currently, he is exploring nutrient cyclin potential in variously managed agricultural soils, as well as ways in which crops can be healthy and productive while minimizing synthetic inputs. WATCH FULL EPISODES YouTube https://bit.ly/watchISOS SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests LEARN MORE → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → FB Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup In this episode of In Search of Soil Diego introduces the episode's guest, Dr. Gabe Kenne Areas of regenerative agriculture that deserve more research Proposing research for potential solutions that affect farmers' livelihoods A long-held traditional agricultural view that farmers firmly hold onto Reasonable expectations to set when going no-till Where science is right now with regards to no-till On individuals perceiving no-till as a risky endeavor The cover crop project Project participants and their shifted views Tremendous changes in soil in the cover crop project Where is the rise in soil organic matter coming from? The increase of organic matter in the soil relative to the increase of organic matter on the soil surface The role of no-till in building the soil underground with cover crops The lesser evil: no-till with fallow or cover crop with tillage? The worries in a no-till, no cover crop model What a farmer should expect with four different treatments What to start thinking about when it comes to traditional agriculture vs. regenerative agriculture Is it possible to grow cash crops with regenerative ag without adding nitrogen? A bigger cumulative yield Agriculture as a tool to sink
- Jun 10, 20231h 51m
Soil Microbes with Dr. Paul Zorner - ISOS S2 #3
As farmers and growers, one of the number one things we need to take good care of to ensure good production is our soil. Now, there are a ton of practices and amendments available that supposedly make our soils healthier, from compost to compost teas, to biochar, to a lot of other things. Consequently, one such amendment that's coming more and more into light these past few years is live microbial amendments. Microbial amendments help both stimulate and improve the microbial fauna in the soil that keep our crops healthy. And we have Dr. Paul Zorner of Locus Ag to talk about how microbial amendments do just that. Dr. Paul Zorner is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Horticulture at North Carolina State University, as well as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Agronomist of Locus Agricultural Solutions, an agricultural company that produces microbial probiotics. Firmly believing that agriculture is one of the most sustainable ways to mitigate our current climate issues, he is also one of the key proponents to actively push for incentivizing farmers to sequester carbon in the soil to improve global CO2 emissions. https://locusag.com/ WATCH FULL EPISODES YouTube https://bit.ly/watchISOS SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING → Shop: https://growepic.co/shop → Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests LEARN MORE → All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube → Blog: https://growepic.co/blog → Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts → Discord: https://growepic.co/discord → Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta → TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok → Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest → Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter → Facebook: https://growepic.co/facebook → FB Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup In this episode of In Search of Soil: Diego introduces the episode's guest, Dr. Paul Zorner Is our view of soil and the complex relationships within it too reductionist? The wonders of human intuition Mycogen, theories, and how they played out over time Dr. Paul Zorner's thoughts on weeds in their function in the succession of a landscape Weeds and cover crop are closely related in terms of what they do A potential net positive to plant growth competition Can you get your soil healthy enough that it won't allow weeds to grow? Moving higher up in the succession with the plants you want to grow Different weeds have different relationships with different microbes Can the biological side of agriculture catch up to the yields from conventional agriculture? Are you stunting the biological potential of the soil if you give easily accessible nutrients to plants vs. microbe food? Adding microbes to help fast track building up soil Putting the sugarcane back into the field—minus the sugar Quorum sensing Is any practice involving the addition of microbes to the soil beneficial? Environmental sequencing in a metagenome Getting the right microbes to get the ball rolling Why adding microbial amendments yield inconsistent results Why is there a need to reapply microbial amendments, can't they reproduce in the soil in their own? An increase in positive effects after application of microbial soil amendments before the eventual plateau What happens to the plant after having Rhizolizer® that makes it grow more roots? Will putting microbial amendments result in higher yield? Addressing the location issue for microbial amendments Inoculating with microbial amendments at the time of seeding Is there a benefit to adding microbial food sources without the microbes? Off-shelf
Get In Search of Soil summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Soil Sense
Tim Hammerich and Abbey Wick, Ph.D.
Soilcast
Soilcast-Team
Secrets of the Soil Podcast with Regen Ray
'Regen Ray' Milidoni
Mission Soil Podcast Series
Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development
Mind, Body, and Soil
Kate Kavanaugh
The Soil Health Network Podcast
Brent Vankoughnet
The TopSoil Podcast
Mitchell Hora
Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast
Tad Hussey
Land Food Life
Kara Kroeger, Nutrition Coach, Agroecology Educator, and Food System Consultant
The Sour Doe Podcast
Ashlee & Jay Hayward
AcresUSA: Tractor Time
Tractor Time by Acres U.S.A.
The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained
Lady Farmer
About In Search of Soil
Exploring the mysteries of soil in search of answers that you can use in your garden or on your farm. Each week features scientists and experts sharing insights into topics like soil science, composting, cover cropping, biochar, no-till, and fungi, among other things! In Search of Soil is hosted and produced by Diego Footer.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from In Search of Soil in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's In Search of Soil daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of In Search of Soil as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the In Search of Soil podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official In Search of Soil product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Diego Footer.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does In Search of Soil release new episodes?
In Search of Soil publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does In Search of Soil cover?
In Search of Soil covers topics including Science, Nature, Natural Sciences. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting In Search of Soil summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.