I am beginning a PhD on soil organic dynamics in cocoa plantations.
Could you recommend interesting variables to study the quality of soil organic matter and its changes over time?
Quantity is the standard, but I find very little information on valuable procedures to assess the quality of SOM...
C:N ratios?
Biochemical composition such as lignins, polyphenols? Humic compounds? Glomalins?
...
Not sure if you've looked at this, but perhaps consider microbial ecology. Extract soil DNA, run PCR and then restriction enzymes to isolate 16S r RNA. Then perform sequence analysis to obtain a picture of the fungal and bacterial populations. You might well note differences under different soil conditions. You might want to look into the work of David Burke et all at the Holden Arboretum in NE Ohio.
Yes, this method is good but too complicated.
The easiest way is calculation of C:N and C:P ratios in bulk SOC. The lowest is their values, the best is SOC quality for plant growth.
Enzymes are very useful, however, in studying SOM you must consider its morphology first, in particular, the humus profile, and its origin.
Agree. Please look project HUMUSICA: Applied Soil Ecology v. 122 (part 1 and 2) and v. 123 (2018)
Good morning Thank you for your question and your interest in our work. I am also a ph d student and other authors have more in-depth knowledge of mine. I advise you to evaluate the content of humic carbon: it provides qualitative as well as quantitative indications. You can find some articles on this subject. I hope that my contribution, even if modest, can help you
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