Search results
Soil organic matter (SOM) is the organic matter component of soil, consisting of plant and animal detritus at various stages of decomposition, cells and tissues of soil microbes, and substances that soil microbes synthesize. SOM provides numerous benefits to soil's physical and chemical properties and its capacity to provide regulatory ...
- CO 2, CO 32−, HCO 3−, CH 4, C
- H 2 PO 4−, HPO 42−
- NH 4+, NO 2−, NO 3−, N 2 (gas), N 2 O (gas)
- S, H 2 S, SO 32−, SO 42−, CS 2
Soil organic matter (SOM) can be defined as organic materials found in soil that are, or have been, part of living organisms. It is a continuum of materials at various stages of transformation due to biotic and abiotic processes. Despite its low concentration in soil, organic matter is of major qualitative importance.
Nov 25, 2021 · Soil organic matter is comprised of both living and non-living components. The living component includes soil macro- and micro-fauna, and soil microbial communities, which may be active or dormant. The non-living portion of soil organic matter is derived from dead plant and faunal inputs into the soil (Figure 3.1).
Chapter 2 Summary. Soil organic matter is the key to building and maintaining healthy soils because it has such great positive influences on essentially all soil properties—aggregation, nutrient availability, soil tilth and water availability, biological diversity and so on— helping to grow healthier plants.
- What is Soil Organic Matter?
- Benefits of Stable Soil Organic Matter
- Physical Benefits
- Chemical Benefits
- Biological Benefits
- Organic Materials
Organic matter is made up of different components that can be grouped into three major types: Plant residues and living microbial biomass. Active soil organic matter also referred to as detritus. Stable soil organic matter, often referred to as humus. The living microbial biomass includes the microorganisms responsible for decomposition (breakdown)...
There are numerous benefits to having a relatively high stable organic matter level in an agricultural soil. These benefits can be grouped into three categories:
Enhances aggregate stability, improving water infiltration and soil aeration, reducing runoff. Improves water holding capacity. Reduces the stickiness of clay soils making them easier to till. Reduces surface crusting, facilitating seedbed preparation.
Increases the soil’s CEC or its ability to hold onto and supply over time essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Improves the ability of a soil to resist pH change; this is also known as buffering capacity (see Agronomy Fact Sheet #5). Accelerates decomposition of soil minerals over time, making the nutrients in the mineral...
Provides food for the living organisms in the soil. Enhances soil microbial biodiversity and activity which can help in the suppression of diseases and pests. Enhances pore space through the actions of soil microorganisms. This helps to increase infiltration and reduce runoff.
Over time, the application and incorporation of organic materials can result in an increase in stable soil organic matter levels. Sources of organic materials include: Crop residues. Animal manure. Department of Crop and Soil Sciences 1 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Compost (Figure 1). Cover crops (green manure) Perennial grasses and ...
Soil organic matter (SOM) is the predominant component of soil, composed of a complex mixture of compounds produced by plant and living microorganisms through their metabolism and activity, as well as organic compounds formed by humification, a term that refers to the decomposition of plant and dead animal remains [32]. The magnitude of organic compound humification in soils influences soil's ...
People also ask
What is soil organic matter?
Is soil organic matter living or non-living?
What is stable soil organic matter?
Why is organic matter important?
What is organic matter based on?
How does organic matter affect soil chemistry?
Introduction. Soil organic matter (SOM) is commonly defined as the organic fraction of the soil exclusive of undecayed plant and animal residues. Sometimes, in a broader definition, SOM encompasses the totality of organic material (living and nonliving) present in soils, including thus, living microorganisms and undecayed residues.
