CIAF Soil Microbiological Activity Test

8/01/2010 5:07:08 PM

APAL now offers a cost effective means of measuring total soil microbial activity. This is an Australian first and will give farmers a key indicator of their soil's microiological health.

APAL has formed an alliance with Dr Ash Martin and his Adelaide based company Creation Innovation and Forestry (CIAF) in order to deliver a low cost science based microbial activity test to Australian farmers.

Increased interest in soil microbiology in recent years has been hampered on the ground by the lack of affordable and reliable microbial testing services.  However this situation will now be changed with the February 2010 launch of the CIAF Microbial Activity Test which will be available exclusively through APAL.

CIAF Microbial Activity Test  $55.00 ( including GST )

The CIAF Microbial Activity Test is ideal for those who want a broad, single indicator of microbial activity in their soil.  Carbon dioxide evolved from a sample over a given time is measured by digital chromatograph to calculate the amount of microbial activity, measured as microbial respiration.  The greater the amount of CO₂ evolved over a given period, the higher the amount of microbial activity, and vice versa.  There is a very good correlation between CO₂ evolution from soils and other materials, such as compost, etc., and microbial activity as measured by other, previously standard but now outdated methods.

Other CIAF Tests:

For those who have learned to use this management tool and want to delve a bit deeper into their microbiology to see, for example, what different specific groups of microbes are doing, CIAF offer a wide range of more detailed microbiology tests.  For more information contact Creation Innovation Agriculture and Forestry (CIAF) at

soilbiologytest @gmail.com or on 0409273528.