Organic matter consists of once-living materials such as plant leaves, stems, roots, seed hulls, and animal manure. It is found in soil and several other components like water, air, and minerals. Organic matter can retain nutrients such as nitrogen that are essential for soil fertility and crop production.
Organic matter is a key factor in regenerating soils depleted by modern farming techniques — but what exactly is this fundamental component of a healthy ecosystem? To understand this important topic better, let’s take a closer look at organic matter: its composition, purpose, and benefits.
Organic matter is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is made up of a variety of compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and lignin. These compounds are formed through the decomposition of once-living organisms. As they break down, they release energy and nutrients that other living organisms can use in the soil. Read on to know more in detail.
Table of Contents
What is Organic Matter?
Organic matter is an essential component of healthy soil. It helps to improve soil structure, increase water and nutrient retention, and provide a source of energy for microorganisms. Organic matter also plays an important role in the carbon cycle by storing carbon from the atmosphere and releasing it back into the environment as it decomposes.
Organic matter can be divided into three types depending on how quickly it decomposes. Decomposing plant and animal residues are active organic matter. It occurs within a few months to a few years after collecting them. This type of organic matter is alive because it is filled with active microorganisms.
At the other end of the spectrum is passive organic matter, also called humus, which has already been fully decomposed and no longer contains any microbiological activity. Both active and passive organic matter is important for maintaining healthy soils and providing essential nutrients for plants.
| Property | Description and Importance |
|---|---|
| Organic Matter Content | Organic matter in soil consists of decaying plant and animal residues. It is a critical component of soil, contributing to soil fertility, structure, and moisture retention. |
| Sources of Organic Matter | Organic matter in soil is derived from plant material, such as leaves, roots, and crop residues, as well as decomposing animal matter. It can also come from organic soil amendments like compost and manure. |
| Benefits of Organic Matter | – Improves soil structure and aeration |
What’s the Difference Between Organic Matter and Material?
Organic material is the source of organic matter, which is essential for soil formation. There are many types of organic material, including leaves, compost, manure, and plant residues.
As these materials decompose, they change their form and mass; this process is known as decomposition. During this process, about 90 percent of the organic material disappears into organic matter. This transformation takes a long time—up to 100 years to form one inch of topsoil—which explains why soil formation is such a slow process.
Organic matter plays an important role in soil fertility by providing nutrients and improving water-holding capacity. It also helps create a better structure for the soil by binding together particles of sand, silt, and clay.
Additionally, it helps protect plants from diseases and pests by providing food sources for beneficial organisms like earthworms and fungi that help keep the soil healthy. Organic matter also helps reduce erosion by increasing the amount of organic material on the surface of the soil that can absorb rainfall or runoff before it reaches streams or rivers.
Benefits of Organic Matter
Organic matter helps improve soil structure by binding together sand, silt, and clay particles. This improves the soil’s ability to hold water and nutrients, which helps plants grow. Organic matter also provides a source of energy for microorganisms in the soil, which are essential for nutrient cycling and the decomposition of organic material.
Additionally, organic matter helps to reduce erosion by increasing the amount of organic material on the surface of the soil that can absorb rainfall or runoff before it reaches streams or rivers.
Organic matter also helps to reduce the number of pollutants in the soil, as it binds with heavy metals and other contaminants. This reduces their availability for plant uptake, which can help protect human health.
Finally, organic matter helps to improve soil fertility by providing essential nutrients for plants and improving water-holding capacity. Overall, organic matter is an important component of healthy soils and provides numerous benefits to the environment.
How Much is Organic Matter in My Garden?
Organic matter is an important component of soil, as it helps improve the soil’s structure and fertility. It is estimated that 1 percent of organic matter in the soil would weigh about 20,000 pounds per acre when measured to a depth of 6 inches. To reach this level, at least 200,000 pounds (100 tons) of organic material must be applied or returned to the soil under favorable conditions.
Soils developed under different vegetation types can vary greatly in their organic matter levels. Due to the supply of organic material from both top growth and roots, soils formed under prairie vegetation tend to have higher levels of organic matter.
On the other hand, soils that have developed under forest vegetation usually have comparably low organic matter levels. A study in the Upper Great Plains showed that a mixed prairie had an above-ground (shoot) yield of 1.4 tons of organic material per acre, while the root yield was about 4 tons per acre – indicating that plants were producing roots more than twice as heavy as their shoots.
What If My Garden Is Lack of Organic Matter?
If your garden lacks organic matter, it can be difficult to maintain healthy soil and plants. Organic matter is essential for soil health because it helps retain moisture, provides nutrients for plants, and increases the number of beneficial organisms in the soil. Without organic matter, your garden may suffer from poor drainage, nutrient deficiencies, and decreased beneficial organisms.
To improve the organic matter
1. Add compost or other organic matter to the soil. Compost is a great source of organic matter and can be made from kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other materials.
2. Plant cover crops such as clover or alfalfa. These plants will add organic matter to the soil as they grow and die back each season.
3. Incorporate mulch into your garden beds. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil and also adds organic matter over time as it breaks down.
4. Use manure or other animal-based fertilizers to add organic matter to the soil. Manure is a great source of nutrients and can help improve soil structure when incorporated into the soil.
5. Leave grass clippings on your lawn after mowing instead of bagging them up for disposal. The clippings will decompose and add organic matter to the lawn over time.
6. Plant nitrogen-fixing plants such as legumes. These plants will add nitrogen to the soil, which can help improve soil fertility and organic matter content.
7. Use organic fertilizers instead of chemical ones. Organic fertilizers are made from natural materials and add organic matter to the soil as they break down over time.
8. Avoid tilling or digging too deeply in your garden beds. Tilling can disrupt the soil structure and reduce the amount of organic matter in the soil.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. Why is organic matter in soil?
Organic matter in soil is a vital component of healthy soil. Organic matter comprises plant and animal residues, such as leaves, roots, and other organic material that microorganisms have broken down. It helps to improve the structure of the soil, increase its water-holding capacity, and provide essential nutrients for plants. Organic matter also helps regulate the soil’s temperature, reduce erosion, and provide a habitat for beneficial organisms.
2. How do I increase organic matter in my soil?
There are several ways to increase the organic matter content of your soil. Adding compost or other organic material to the soil is a great way to add organic matter. Planting cover crops, incorporating mulch into garden beds, using manure or other animal-based fertilizers, tilling or digging too deeply, and using organic fertilizers are all great ways o increase the amount of organic matter in your soil.
3. What is the role of organic matter?
Organic matter is a key component of soil that plays an important role in the health and fertility of the soil. Organic matter is composed of plant and animal material, such as leaves, roots, stems, bark, and other organic debris. It also includes microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes.
Organic matter helps to improve soil structure by binding soil particles together, increasing the soil’s water-holding capacity, and providing essential nutrients for plants. It also helps to regulate the soil’s temperature, reduce erosion, and provide a habitat for beneficial organisms.
4. How is organic matter formed?
The organic matter in soil is formed as a result of soil organisms partially decomposing and transforming plant materials (examples include above- and below-ground litter, excrements, and exudates).
5. How can I add organic matter to my soil?
Adding organic matter to your soil is an important step in improving the health and fertility of your soil. Compost, mulch, manure, and other organic materials are great ways to add organic matter to your soil. Planting cover crops, such as legumes or grasses, can also help increase the amount of organic matter in your soil. Additionally, tilling or digging too deeply can disrupt the soil structure and reduce the amount of organic matter in the soil, so it is important to avoid this practice.
Conclusion
Organic matter is a vital component of healthy soil. It helps to improve the structure of the soil, increase its water-holding capacity, and provide essential nutrients for plants. Organic matter can be added to your soil through compost, mulch, manure, and other organic materials. Planting cover crops and avoiding tilling or digging too deeply can also help increase the amount of organic matter in your soil.
