Mentor
I’m not opposed to using these products with the understanding that we can over do it in low residue situations. We actually market a great product just for this. We encourage it’s use in very high yielding environments and with high carbon residues. We also like to use it behind manure applications. We have found increase nutrient availability using these materials. Know and trust the source before buying any given product.
SDSU Extension
This is complicated. We want to see the local, natural biology (mainly fungi) get revived and do residue breakdown, but can we bridge the gap until that happens. What I have been told is that agressive fungi applied from a jug can inhibit other fungi from developing. I should also say I have heard that one could apply some fungi from a jug and populations of these will decrease when applications stop. Unfortunately I am not aware of any science that can answer this question. Following the soil health priciples will naturally allow it to happen. I also agree with David in that if residue disappears to quickly, keeping the soil protected had not been achieved.
Mentor
