Question

Why is carbon nitrogen ratio important in organic matter decomposition

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

As we move forward and work towards increasing soil health, microbial activity, and organic matter content, we must understand how the Carbon to Nitrogen ratio works. ... The C:N ratio is important because due to the fact that it has a direct impact on residue decomposition and also nitrogen cycling in our soils.

Answer 2

Answer:

Fish and shrimp farmers often refer to the carbon-nitrogen or C:N ratio in ponds. They may apply organic matter, nitrogen fertilizer or both to adjust this ratio. The idea of the C:N ratio was taken from soil microbiology, where this ratio is considered an important variable related to soil fertility.

Terrestrial soils often have a layer of fresh or partially decomposed organic residue such as leaf litter on the surface. As this material continues to decompose, it is mixed into the soil by physical and biological processes and becomes humus. Humus is an extremely complex organic matter comprised of highly decomposed organic residues combined with the remains of dead bacteria, fungi and other decomposer organisms. Living decomposer organisms continue to decompose humus, but at a slow rate.

The composition of soil organic matter averages about 5 percent nitrogen and 52 percent carbon. A soil with 1 percent organic matter contains about 0.05 percent nitrogen and 0.52 percent carbon – a C:N ratio of about 10:1 (range 8:1 to 12:1). Organic soils develop in wetlands from large inputs of marsh plants that have a low nitrogen concentration. The C:N ratio in organic soils can be 30:1 or higher.

In ponds, uneaten feed, feces and dead plankton settle from the water and decompose at the bottom soil surface. Remains of these materials mix with bottom soil to become pond soil organic matter. The C:N ratios in bottom soils of aquaculture ponds usually are about the same as for terrestrial soils. Lower C:N ratios have been reported in ponds with intensive production. Higher ratios have been found in extensive ponds and especially those constructed in organic soil.