Sources of Soil Organic Matter in Agricultural and Horticultural Soils
The organic matter contents of a good mineral soil are 2-5% which consists of organic matter in the form of living and dead organic matter. Living organic matter consists of soil microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, nematodes and earthworms), plant roots and insects. Dead organic matter is added after the death of these living organisms and addition of leaves, bark of trees and dead animals. Farmyard manure, composts and mushroom compost are also source of dead organic matter. All of this organic matter is ultimately broken down into carbon dioxide, water and minerals. Humus is the collection of organic compounds that persists in soil for longer duration. Soil section from a grass field LIVING ORGANISMS IN THE SOIL Living organisms in the soil ecosystem for food webs and food chains. 1. The source of converting sunlight and simpler compounds into organic compounds are the Producers , which are involved in photosynthesis (green plants mostly in agricultural soils). Next are...