NEMATODES get a bad wrap in most agricultural publications.  And if they're ROOT FEEDING NEMATODES that's justified.  Those feed on and destroy the roots of your plants.  But did you know there are several functional groups of BENEFICIAL NEMATODES?  Proper nutrient cycling underground relies upon the presence of bacterial-feeding nematodes, fungal-feeding nematodes, and predator nematodes (nematode eating nematodes) just to name a few!  These guys consume bacteria, fungi and other nematodes to release nutrients to your plants.

BENEFICIAL FUNGUS helps build structure and stores nutrients in the soil.  OOMYCETES, are disease-causing fungus that result in mildews and other fungal diseases of plants.  

We look for both in our assessment!

BENEFICIAL PROTOZOA (amoeba and flagellates) consume bacteria and can promote nutrient cycling.  There are some not so pleasant guys (ciliates) in this category that indicate less than desirable conditions, like compaction, in your soil.

ACTINOBACTERIA depending on what your plants requirements are these can be beneficial.  Or they may indicate soil conditions aren't right for the crop you want to grow.

BACTERIA can be good guys or bad guys.  Presence of aerobic, oxygen loving, bacteria are healthy signs in your soil.  Presence of disease causers should raise some red flags about your soil or composts health.

MICROARTHROPODS - We don't actually measure these gusy yet, but they're fun to look at and important in the soil food web cycling process.