Olivier Husson’s work has revolutionized our understanding of redox (reduction-oxidation) processes as central drivers of soil, plant, and microbial health.
Alongside pH (which measures proton availability), redox potential (Eh, which measures electron availability) has been proposed as a critical component for assessing soil, plant, and animal health.
Both parameters are analyzed together to provide a much fuller picture of nutrient availability, biological activity, and disease resistance than pH alone.
Husson’s research shows that electron exchanges (redox reactions) are fundamental to life processes, regulating energy flow in soils, plants, and microbes. This “little electric current,” as Nobel laureate Szent-Györgyi described it, is maintained by sunlight and is essential for cellular energy and metabolic balance.
Impact on Soil and Plant Health: Studies have demonstrated that soil Eh-pH conditions directly influence:
· Microbial populations and activity
· Nutrient solubility and uptake (including nitrogen and phosphorus)
· The plant’s ability to resist diseases and pests
· The buffering capacity of soils, especially through organic matter and biological activity
Disease and Stress Response: Specific Eh-pH conditions can either suppress or promote plant pathogens and pests. Plants under stress or attack shift their redox balance, which in turn regulates gene expression and defense mechanisms.
Practical Applications: The measuring of both Eh and pH in soils and plants has been proposed to guide regenerative agricultural practices. This dual measurement is intended to help farmers optimize crop nutrition, disease resistance, and overall system health.
This work is helping in understanding how to shift toward more holistic, regenerative approaches in agriculture.
Follow The Electrons: Redox Processes as Central Drivers of Soil, Plant, and Microbial Health
