Biological Analysis

At Ecothrive HQ, we offer a full Soil Food Web Biological Assay, a detailed in-house analysis designed to quantify and observe the living community in your compost. Unlike a basic health check, this test doesn’t just confirm the presence of key microbes, it measures and counts them, providing a thorough picture of your compost’s biological activity and nutrient-cycling potential.

Why Choose a Full Bioassay?

This assay is aimed at growers, composters, and soil builders who want a deep understanding of their compost biology. By counting and observing microbial populations, we can track the balance between bacteria and fungi, identify potential anaerobic signals, and assess the overall functionality of your compost. These insights help prevent nutrient cycling issues before they impact plant growth or soil quality.

What We Look For

Our in-depth microscopy assessment covers multiple trophic levels and microbial groups:

• Bacteria: We quantify populations and assess general morphology to determine activity and potential nutrient-cycling efficiency.
• Flagellates and Testae Amoeba: These are counted and observed to evaluate microbial diversity and aerobic function.
• Fungi: We measure and observe fungal morphology, including hyphal diameter, septation, wall structure, and pigmentation, to assess fungal health and community balance.
• Nematodes: Populations are counted and broadly identified as bacterial-feeding, fungal-feeding, predatory, or root-feeding to understand their role in the soil ecosystem.

This detailed information allows us to calculate fungal-to-bacterial ratios, monitor microbial interactions, and detect early signs of stress or imbalance that could affect nutrient cycling and compost performance.

Why Multiple Tests?

While a single test provides a useful snapshot of your compost or soil biology, averaging results from three tests offers a more reliable and representative overview. To make this approach more accessible, we now offer 25% off the cost of three tests when purchased together.

In addition, we can supply compost extracts and biological inoculants designed to optimise soil biology and bring your material into a more favourable biological range.

Why Just Compost?

Through extensive testing, we’ve found that biologically active substrates, such as indoor “living soils”, contain a constantly shifting microbial population driven by active plant roots and frequent irrigation. In these dynamic systems, attempting to quantify fungal-to-bacterial ratios offers limited insight, as populations fluctuate naturally over short timescales.

In contrast, mature composts represent more stable microbial environments, where the balance between fungi and bacteria can be meaningfully assessed. This makes our Biological Assay an excellent tool for understanding the quality, maturity, and biological viability of composts before use or application.

If you’re working with an active growing substrate or living soil, we recommend our Living Soil Health Check instead — a more cost-effective way to confirm the presence of nutrient-cycling microbes and ensure your soil ecosystem is effectively recycling and releasing nutrients for your plants.

Turnaround Time and Additional Services

• Fast Results: Our Soil Biology Test typically delivers results within 1–2 working days of sample receipt.
• Additional Support: We also offer a range of lab services, including detailed soil chemistry analysis, to help you refine your organic growing methods for healthier plants and better results.

How to Submit Samples

Download step-by-step instructions for taking and submitting your soil samples via this link  - Soil Food Web Analysis

For more information about our services or to discuss your specific needs, contact us at info@ecothrive.co.uk.