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.
- 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
Nov 25, 2021 · Evaluate the importance of organic matter on soil physical, chemical and biological properties and processes. Explain the sources and turnover processes of soil organic matter. Discuss the spatial distribution and land management of soil organic matter.
- 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 ...
What is soil organic matter? We frequently hear that organic matter is one of the most important components of soil. But what is it, exactly? One textbook definition is.
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.
Nov 23, 2015 · Long-standing theory suggests that soil organic matter is composed of inherently stable and chemically unique compounds. Here we argue that the available evidence does not support the...
Soil properties change. Surface structure becomes more stable and less prone to crusting and erosion. Water infiltration increases and runoff decreases when soil structure improves. Soil organic matter holds 10 to 1,000 times more water and nutrients than the same amount of soil minerals.
