Why Microscopy [1]
What is RSM? [8]
What You'll Need [14]
The Minimum Requirements [14]
The Professional RSM Requirements [15]
Recommended Additional Test Modalities [16]
The R-Soil Database [16]
Which Microscope is Right for You? [18]
The Bright Field [19]
The Dark Field [20]
Epifluorescence [21]
Other Professional Microscopes [23]
The Limitations of Resolution [25]
Achromat, Plan, Semi-Plan [25]
Where to Buy Everything? [26]
The Anatomy of the Microscope [27]
How to Operate the Microscope [28]
The Morphological Guide [30]
Why "Morphological"? [30]
What are the Drawbacks? [30]
What's Better? [31]
What's Best Practice? [32]
Meet the Microbes [33]
- BACTERIA [33]
- Bacteria Size [33]
- Bacteria Shapes & Movement [35]
- Common Forms [36]
- Uncommon Forms [38]
- Gram Stain, Smears, & Prepared slides [38]
- Indicators of Beneficial Bacteria Fungi [40]
- Indicators of Harmful Bacteria [40]
- Bacterial Lookalikes [41]
- Final Thoughts on Bacteria [44]
- ARCHAEA [62]
- FUNGi [63]
- What to Look For [64]
- Can We Trust Our Numbers? [69]
- What's "GOOD" Fungi? [73]
- Who ARE the Lookalike Fungi? [75]
- General Indicators of Good Saprophytic Fungi [76]
- General Indicators of "False" Fungi [76]
- What about Yeasts [78]
- Septa [78]
- Spores [79]
- Ectomycorrhizal Fungi [80]
- What about Ericoid Mycorrhizae? [80]
- Damaged Fungi? [80]
- Nematode Killing Fungus? [80]
- The Bad Guys [94]
- PROTOZOA [97]
- Amoebae [97]
- Common Soil Amoebae [101]
- Flagellates [102]
- Ciliates [102]
- ALGAE [104]
- POLLEN & SPORES [106]
- NEMATODES [110]
- Bacterial Feeders [113]
- Fungal Feeders [114]
- Root Feeders [115]
- Predatory Nematodes [117]
- Omnivores & Switchers [117]
- Nematode Eggs [119]
- MICROARTHROPODS & WORMS [122]
- Minerals, Organic Matter, & Microplastics [124]
The Test Protocols [131]
What are we Testing? [131]
What are the Variables? [131]
Trophic Ratios [134]
Key Questions [136]
Foundational Best Practices [137]
Rules of Thumb [137]
RSM Soil & Compost Testing Protocols [138]
Gather Your Samples [138]
Sample Preparation [138]
Sample Examination [141]
Bacteria [149]
Fungi [153]
Organic Matter & Minerals [160]
Leaves & Roots [161]
Epifluorescence & Roots [164]
The Manual Lighting Method + Roots [168]
What about Methylene Blue [174]
Other Tests [176]
Common Problems [179]
The Ratios [180]
What are the Ideal Ranges & Ratios? [180]
The Minimum Desirable Ratios [181]
Extremes Require or Create Balance [181]
What about Mycorrhizal Inoculation %? [182]
Soil & Compost Food Web Analysis Worksheet & Guide [183]
Root & Leaf Analysis Worksheet Guide [184]
The Case Studies [185]
Johnson-Su Study [185]
Thermophilic Study [196]
Vermicompost Study [212]
Subsoil, Field Soil, Compacted Dirt, & Biochar [220]
EM® Study [228]
IMO-1 Study [241]
The Future [249]
References [258]
Glossary [262]
Index [266]
