Microbiometer

Prolific Earth Sciences was founded in 2014 by Dr. Judith Fitzpatrick, Dr. E. Brady Trexler, and James Sottilo to develop powerful diagnostic tests and test methods that support sustainable soil health practices. Combined with smart phone technology, these tests offer an unprecedented convenience and efficacy not seen before in the soil testing field. Additionally, the data that is collected via the array of tests across the globe in real time will drastically increase information available to scientists about the health of our soil worldwide. The microBIOMETER® test is currently available for sale and the app is available through Apple App Store and Google Play. This test is the first quantitative diagnostic test in soil health to be read and analyzed by a cellular phone. The microBIOMETER® quantitates the level of microbes in a soil sample in 20 minutes for around $10, and stores results in the cloud. Soil health is key to addressing the growing climate change issues our world is facing. From promoting organic agricultural practices to carbon farming, experts and scientists agree that returning our soil to health will help stave off the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, return vital nutrients to our food, and allow for sustainable agriculture in the future. Standard practices for measuring microbial biomass have been error-prone, laborious, inconsistent and expensive. The microBIOMETER® mitigates all of these challenges in a simple, easy-to-use test that can be done in the field.