If soil is the engine of agriculture, how do we measure its performance?
For decades, agriculture has treated soil like a chemistry set.
Measure nitrogen. Adjust phosphorus. Balance potassium.
But soil is not a sterile laboratory.
It is a living biological engine.
In this episode of Soil Talks™ Podcast, Brandon Kail sits down with Dr. Lance Gunderson, president of Regen Ag Lab and one of the most experienced soil microbiology interpreters in agriculture today.
With over 100,000 soil samples analyzed, Lance explains why traditional soil tests often miss the most important part of soil function: biology.
We break down:
• Why the soil microbiome controls nutrient availability
• The limits of conventional salt extraction soil tests
• How the Haney Test measures biological soil function
• Why fungal:bacterial ratios influence carbon storage and drought resilience
• The hidden role of protozoa and microbial grazing in nitrogen release
• The difference between PLFA testing and DNA sequencing
• How growers can reduce fertilizer dependency through biological nutrient cycling
If soil is the engine of agriculture, this episode shows how to finally look under the hood.
Because soil health isn't just chemistry.
It's biology, structure, water, and time working together.
🎧 Share, Like & Subscribe to the Soil Talks™ Podcast
Hosted by Rocky Mountain BioAg®
Contact Dr. Gunderson at https://regenaglab.com
Learn more with
The Biological...Beyond Organic® Fundamentals Course
#soilhealth #soilbiology #soilmicrobiome #soiltesting
#haney test #regenerative agriculture #soilfertility
#microbialnutrientcycling #plfasoiltesting #soilmicrobiology
