EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Active organic matter provides habitat and food for beneficial soil organisms that help build soil structure and porosity, provide nutrients to plants, and improve the water holding capacity of the soil.

Detailed explanation-2: -CHEMICAL: Soil organic matter significantly improves the soil’s capacity to store and supply essential nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium), and to retain toxic elements. It allows the soil to cope with changes in soil acidity, and helps soil minerals to decompose faster.

Detailed explanation-3: -Physically, organic matter influences soil structure and all associated properties. Chemically, soil organic matter affects the cation exchange capacity and the capacity for buffering changes in soil pH. Biologically, organic matter acts as the nutrient and energy supply for microbial biomass and higher plants.

Detailed explanation-4: -Increasing levels of organic matter aid in soil structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient mineralization, biological activity, and water and air infiltration rates.

Detailed explanation-5: -Properties influenced by organic matter include: soil structure; moisture holding capacity; diversity and activity of soil organisms, both those that are beneficial and harmful to crop production; and nutrient availability. It also influences the effects of chemical amendments, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.