Why does Compost Tea need multiple apps per year

[mikesturf]

I understand when using synthetic fertilizer you need to make multiple applications per year because the product becomes used up.

Since the microbes in Compost Tea are alive, after one or several applications wouldn't they naturally reproduce in the soil and hopefully maintain a constant level, thus needing less and less, then virtually no more CT applications?

Just trying to gain some knowledge.

[dKoester]

They do need a food source. If you put down a compost application(not tea) they can easily colonize the soil.

[mikesturf]

Thanks, that makes sense.

Would the microbe population greatly decrease during a drought?

[dKoester]

They will become inactive but will still be there.