A World Beneath Our Feet
Our Soil Microbiome Management course provides an opportunity to explore this fascinating underground world and learn how soil biology can be managed to support healthier soils, stronger plants and more sustainable land management. This 100-hour course is an ideal professional development or gap-filler course for farmers, horticulturists, permaculturists, landscapers, conservationists and anyone interested in working more effectively with nature. The course has been developed and tutored by an international team of experts, including Dr Kerry Claydon BSc, PhD; John Mason Dip Hort Sc; and Timothy Walker BA (Botany), RHS MHort, Post Grad Dip Ed. If you want to understand the living systems beneath your feet and develop a more holistic approach to soil management, Soil Microbiome Management can help you get started. |
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What’s Involved? The course covers a wide range of topics, including: The nature, structure and texture of soil
Soil porosity and topsoil thickness Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur Soil acidity, salinity and water retention The environmental factors that affect soil health
Bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi and protozoa Plant–microbe relationships Methods for evaluating and monitoring soil biology Soil biological testing and analysis Human impacts on soil microbiomes Pollution, microplastics and antibiotic resistance Monocultures, erosion, climate change and land development Organic and inorganic soil substrates Compost, manures, coir, bark and other additives Conventional and organic soil management Soil fertility and soil organic matter Cover crops, crop rotations and reduced tillage Humus, humates and microbial inoculants
Mycorrhizal fungi and other beneficial microorganisms Plant–soil feedback and microbial associations Biopesticides and biological control Soil regeneration and microbiome restoration |
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What is the Soil Microbiome?
The soil microbiome is the community of microorganisms living in soil. These organisms include bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses and protozoa. They interact with one another, with plant roots and with the wider soil environment.
Some microorganisms help make nutrients available to plants. Others contribute to decomposition, improve soil structure or assist with carbon storage. Certain fungi form important relationships with plant roots, while other microorganisms can help suppress pests and diseases. When soil ecology is managed well, the benefits can extend throughout the entire environment – both below and above the ground. |
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What will you study?
The course begins by exploring the physical and chemical characteristics of soil. You will look at soil structure, texture, porosity, nutrient content, carbon retention, pH, salinity and environmental pressures such as drought, frost, erosion and poor water retention.
You will then develop an understanding of the organisms that make up the soil microbiome and the relationships between them. The course examines how plants interact with microorganisms, how different microbes affect plant growth, and how changes in land use or management can alter microbial communities.
You will also learn about ways to assess soil biology. Topics include microbial biomass, basal carbon dioxide respiration, potentially mineralizable nitrogen, culturing, community profiling, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing, and more advanced approaches such as transcriptomics, 16S rRNA analysis and bioinformatics. This gives you the foundation to understand not only what is happening in a soil, but also how soil health may be measured and monitored. |
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The course will provide you with: ▪️ A stronger understanding of soil biology and ecology ▪️ Knowledge of beneficial and harmful soil microorganisms ▪️ An understanding of how plants interact with their microbiome ▪️ The ability to compare conventional and organic soil management ▪️ Knowledge of soil substrates, additives and microbial inoculants
▪️ An awareness of human impacts on soil health ▪️ Strategies for improving soil fertility and organic matter ▪️ An understanding of soil regeneration practices ▪️ A foundation for making more informed soil management decisions
You will explore practical approaches such as composting, mulching, biochar application, cover cropping, crop rotations, reduced tillage, controlled traffic farming, tree planting and microbial inoculation. The course also examines the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, protozoa, earthworms and other organisms that may contribute to soil health in appropriate situations. |
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Lessons There are nine lessons in the course, each exploring a substantial range of topics. Together, they provide a broad overview of the physical, chemical and biological factors that influence soil health.
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Where can this course lead?
Soil microbiome knowledge can be useful in many areas, including plant and crop production, conservation, land management, forestry, mining, landscape design and waste management. The course may also support further study or professional pathways in soil science and environmental management.
Land management is increasingly focused on the complex biological communities that influence soil function. The more we learn about these largely unseen organisms, the clearer it becomes that soil health cannot be understood through physical and chemical characteristics alone. A holistic approach considers the entire soil ecosystem – and the health of the plants, landscapes and environments that depend on it. |
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Up for the challenge?
If you are ready to expand your understanding of soil and learn how to work with natural biological processes, Soil Microbiome Management is an excellent place to begin.
Get in touch with us today and become another one of our successful graduates making a difference in the world. |
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