The Seven Functions of Organic Matter

Without organic matter there is no soil fertility. Why organic matter is so important depends on its function. The seven functions determine the level of soil fertility.

1. Organic matter is the main source of soil nutrients

Organic matter contains various nutrients needed for crop growth, and can directly or indirectly provide N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and other trace elements for crop growth. More than 95% of N elements exist in the soil in an organic state. In addition to the applied N fertilizer, the main source of soil N is provided by the decomposition of organic matter.

2. Organic matter can promote the growth and development of crops

Humic acid in organic matter can enhance plant respiration, increase the permeability of cell membranes, and enhance the absorption of nutrients. At the same time, vitamins and some hormones in organic matter can promote the growth and development of plants.

3. Organic matter can promote the formation of soil structure and improve soil physical properties

Humus in organic matter is the main cementing agent of soil aggregates, and soil organic colloid is an indispensable cementing substance for the formation of water-stable aggregate structure, so it helps clayey soil to form a good structure, thus changing the soil pore status and water, air ratio to create a suitable soil tightness. On the other hand, it can improve the agglomeration of sand and improve its loose state.

4. Organic matter can improve soil fertility and buffer performance

The organic colloid in the soil organic matter has a large amount of negative charges, has a strong adsorption capacity, and can absorb a large amount of cations and water. Its cation exchange capacity and water absorption rate are several times or even dozens of times larger than that of clay particles, so it can Improve the ability of soil to retain fertilizer and store water, and also improve the buffering ability of soil to acid and alkali.

5. Organic matter can promote the activities of soil micro organisms

Soil organic matter supplies the energy and nutrients needed by soil micro organisms, which is beneficial to the activities of micro organisms.

6. Organic matter can increase soil temperature

Organic matter is darker in color, generally brown to dark brown, and has a strong heat absorption capacity, which can increase ground temperature and improve soil thermal conditions.

7. Organic matter can improve soil nutrients

Humus in organic matter has a complexing effect and helps to eliminate soil pollution. For low-yielding fields, soil fertility can be improved by increasing organic matter content.

For high-yield fields, due to the continuous decomposition of organic matter, it is also necessary to continuously replenish organic matter. Humus can form complexes or chelates with phosphorus, iron, and aluminum ions to avoid the precipitation of insoluble phosphates and increase the amount of effective nutrients.

To sum up, it is not difficult to see that the soil with high soil organic matter content has a high level of soil fertility, which can not only provide rich nutrients for crop growth, but also has a strong ability to retain water and fertilizer, which can reduce the loss of nutrients and save the amount of chemical fertilizers. , improve fertilizer utilization. The opposite is true for soils with less organic matter.

The fat field will not lose weight for three years, and the lean field will not get fat for three years, which is determined by the organic matter.

Therefore, we should do everything possible to increase the application of organic fertilizers to increase the content of organic matter in the soil in order to give full play to the benefits of increasing the production of chemical fertilizers and the yield and quality of crops.