Question

role of soil organic matter in soil fertility

Answer 1

Plants obtain nutrients from two natural sources: organic matter and minerals. Organic matter includes any plant or animal material that returns to the soil and goes through the decomposition process. In addition to providing nutrients and habitat to organisms living in the soil, organic matter also binds soil particles into aggregates and improves the water holding capacity of soil. Most soils contain 2-10 percent organic matter. However, even in small amounts, organic matter is very important.


Organic matter improves the physical condition and fertility of the soil, particularly the structure.

Decaying organic matter acts as a food material for bacteria, fungi and other organisms.Presence of organic matter dissolves many insoluble soil minerals and make them available to plants.It plays an important role in the nutrient supplying power of soil as it has got high cation exchange capacity (CEC).It increases the water holding capacity of the soil, particularly in sandy soils.It improves aeration and infiltration in heavy soils.It reduces loss of soil by water and wind erosion.It regulate soil temperatureIt serves as an important source of certain plant of food element (N, P, S etc).The buffering nature of the organic matter is considered to be advantageous in the residue management of pesticides, herbicide and other heavy metals.


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