Summary-The role of organic matter & soil organic matter management

Outline

No. Topic Page Self Test Question

1. Why should you learn about soil and organic matter? 1 -

2. Soil composition and soil profile 1 Q1, Q2, Q7

3. Soil components and properties affecting water & nutrient 2 Q3, Q4

holding capacity

4. Soil testing to know its quality 3 Q5

5. How to promote a healthy soil 4 Q6, Q8-Q12

6. Suggested resource 5 -

1. Why should you learn about soil and organic matter?

§ If you know this basic knowledge, you will be able to nourish a healthy plant, by focusing on

creating a healthy soil for the plant. In unpredictable conditions, e.g. COVID-19 situation, you

may enjoy growing vegetables at home and become less dependent on market place in long term.

§ Objectives: Describe the properties of soil and organic matter and their impacts on water and

nutrient holding capacity.

2. Soil composition and soil profile

§ Soil is a living natural entity on the surface of the Earth that serves as the growth medium for land

plant.

§ Soil is composed of solids, liquids, and gasses: (i) inorganic soil particles (solid) derived from

weathered parental rock and (ii) organic matter (solids) derived from decomposed organic

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compound (iii) water and soluble mineral (liquids) locating at the surface of soil particle and organic

matter (iv) air (gasses) in between the pore space and (v) soil life (living organisms) living in the soil and

modified soil properties.

§ Soil from different field may differ in its composition. Generally, an ideal soil for plant growth

contain 50% solids and the remaining 50% is pore space filled with equal parts of water and air.

Poorly drained soil has high percentage of water but low of air. Compacted soil also contained

insufficient space for air.

§ Soil profile: One can see the soil profile via a vertical section of the Earth crust. There are three

layers of soil having differences in color, texture, structure and chemical composition. The soil layer

mostly influences plant health is the topsoil layer, where plant roots locate dominantly. Topsoil is

the layer enriched with organic matter, mineral nutrient, water and air for plant roots.

3. Soil components and properties affecting water & nutrient holding capacity

§ Soil inorganic particle: this component is inorganic because it is the product of the weathering of

parental rock (the lowest layer in soil profile). When touching it by hand one can feel its gritty and

hardy texture. Scientists classify the soil inorganic particle by its size into sand (coarse sand: 0.2-2.0

mm in diameter, fine sand 0.02-0.2 mm), silt (0.002-0.02 mm) and clay (< 0.002 mm). The smaller

the particle the higher the total surface area in the specified volume of soil. Furthermore, because

water and soluble mineral are adsorbed onto the soil surface, clay particle having the highest total

surface area has highest water (and nutrient) holding capacity. In contrast, the smaller the particle,

the lower the pore space which provides air for plant roots. Thus, clayish soil would have poorer

aeration than sandy soil.

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 § Organic matter: this is organic because it is residues remaining after having been decomposed by

microorganisms and soil fauna. The sense of touch is fluffy, it is light-weighted and its color is dark.

Organic matter is also called humus. There are many kinds of substances in humus, one of them is

humic acid. The molecular structure of humic acid shows its large size, high surface area and

irregular shape. Organic matter has a character like stable aqueous gel thus binding soil particles

together; healthy soil in topsoil is seen as dark color soil aggregate (looks like chocolate cookie

crumbs). Organic matter’s high surface area adsorbs mineral elements and water for gradual plant

uptake. Furthermore, organic matter keeps soil pH in slightly acidic range, good for mineral nutrient

dissolution. Likewise, its irregular shape increases air space in the soil. The presence of soil

organic matter, a food resource of living organisms, enhances species diversity. Therefore, a small

amount of organic matter drastically improves the physical, chemical, and biological properties of

soil, making a healthy soil to nourish a healthy plant.

4. Soil testing to know its quality

§ One can predict by eyes the soil quality: its dark color indicates the presence of organic matter; the

aggregate (granular) structure of soil is also an indication of organic matter. If soil particles do not

form aggregate but come apart easily, or they compact too tightly, the soil seems to be not good for

plant growth.

§ There are scientific methods to test soil quality: (i) soil texture: by quantifying the proportion of

inorganic soil particle (sand, silt, clay), one can know soil type and its capacity to hold water and

nutrient. Farmers can randomly sample soil in their field and submit the sample for analysis at a

certified laboratory. Alternatively, a DIY method, such as jar testing with soil texture triangle

(USDA) is applicable. (ii) soil pH: it is very important to know the pH of soil. An ideal pH value

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should be slightly acidic to allow the dissolution of all essential elements to take place. If the soil is too

acidic or basic, some (organic) substances can be added to adjust the pH into a suggested range.

(iii) organic matter content: soil color can be used to determine the organic matter content, with a

standardized color chart (provided by a qualified laboratory) it will be more reliable.

5. How to promote a healthy soil

§ In Thailand, most of agricultural farm apply a conventional system in plant production. Intensive

use of chemical fertilizer alone and growing the same crop for several years gradually alter soil

properties, especially soil pH, causing plant mineral nutrients become insoluble and cannot be

absorbed via plant roots. Then, crop plants appear unhealthy: chlorosis and growth retardation. More

seriously, farmers get a problem of soil erosion, because there is insufficient organic matter to bind

the soil particle.

§ Nowadays, it is well-known that to improve soil structure, regular addition of organic stuffs into

the soil is a simple key.

§ A plant is able to approve the environment around its roots, by releasing living root cells, called root

border cells (RBCs). These cells can secrete mucilage (mucopolysaccharide) containing sugar,

amino acid, etc., to feed beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms can decompose (digest)

organic compound resulting in increased soluble nutrient that plant roots can take up.

§ Besides RBCs, plant roots cooperate with two groups of microorganisms in order to make nutrients

available: (i) mycorrhiza which are fungi-plant root interaction and (ii) rhizobium which is

bacterium (bacteria, plural). Most of land plants have specific fungal species to form mycorrhizal

roots. These fungi make water and nutrient become enriched in the root environment and get sugar

from plants as rewards. Rhizobium can be found in root nodule of various plant species, such as

legumes. For a rain tree plant, its underground roots also form a nodule containing

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Rhizobium. This kind of bacteria is able to change nitrogen gas (N2) in the air to ammonia (NH3),

which will be transformed to ammonium ion (NH4+), an available form that plant root can take up.

6. Suggested resource:

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/1-soils-and-plant-nutrients#section_heading_7239

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