Organic Matter's Benefits in Agricultural and Horticultural Soils

Organic matter is regarded as the most valuable asset for agricultural soils in crop productivity and landscaping. Here's a quick rundown of the advantages of having different types of organic matter in the soil:

1. In the spring, darker soils warm up faster. (The presence of humus and other organic materials gives the soil a darker color.)

2. The action of live creatures in the soil converts dead organisms (plants and animals) into minerals and humus (bacteria and fungi).

3. Organic matter decomposition in the soil provides a slow-release fertilizer source.

4. Decomposed organic matter provides food for soil bacteria and boosts their activity.

5. The presence of recognized dead organic matter in the soil improves aeration and physically opens up the soil, as measured by a photosynthesis meter.

6. Fine-grained organic matter positively impacts the soil's water holding capacity.

7. In the soil, humus creates a black colloid covering surrounding soil particles, which improves soil properties.

Crumbs are apparent in high-organic-matter soils.

8. When humus is present, crumbs are easily generated on sandy and silty soils.

9. Humus' surface charge binds the clay particles together, making heavy soil-less sticky and crumbly.

10. Nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and acetobacter in soil fix atmospheric nitrogen.

11. The soil structure is improved by earthworms, plant roots, and other digging insects.

12. A Leaf area meter can assist in the detoxification of several pesticides and herbicides by bacteria in the soil.

13. The soils' cation exchange capacity (CEC) improves, reducing cation leaching from the soil profile.