How do microorganisms break down organic matter and why is it helpful to increase soil carbon and build soil organic matter?
Microbes decompose plant and animal residues, breaking them down into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and utilized as an energy source. This process releases carbon dioxide (CO2) as a byproduct of microbial respiration. However, a small portion of the original carbon is retained in the soil through the formation of humus, a stable organic compound that gives carbon-rich soils their characteristic dark color. Approximately 10-20% of plant material is incorporated into soil organic matter, which serves as the food source for soil microorganisms. The continuous formation and breakdown of organic carbon compounds by microbes leads to the accumulation of soil organic matter. Increasing soil organic matter levels is beneficial for several reasons:
To increase soil carbon and build soil organic matter, it is important to enhance microbial activity and efficiency. This can be achieved through practices such as adding organic amendments (e.g., compost, manure), reducing soil disturbance, and promoting plant diversity.
Microorganisms release enzymes that oxidise the organic compounds in organic matter. The oxidation reaction releases energy and carbon, which micro-organisms need to live. The final end product of mineralisation is nutrients in the mineral form. Plants require nutrients to be in mineral form to take them up from soil.
Microorganisms release enzymes that oxidize the organic compounds in organic matter. The oxidation reaction releases energy and carbon, which micro-organisms need to live. The final end product of mineralization is nutrients in the mineral form. Plants require nutrients to be in mineral form to take them up from soil. Soil microorganisms promote the decomposition of organic matter by secreting enzymes. The changes of biochar on soil enzyme activity are affected by the interaction between biochar, enzymes, and enzyme substrates. The active sites of biochar can absorb or desorb enzymes and their substrates. Decomposition is a biological process that includes the physical breakdown and biochemical transformation of complex organic molecules of dead material into simpler organic and inorganic molecules. Decomposition of organic matter is largely a biological process that occurs naturally. Organic compounds break down by the action of living organisms that do not require air in the normal sense. These organisms use nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients to live and to develop cell protoplasm, but they reduce the organic nitrogen to organic acids and ammonia. Bacteria break down (or decompose) dead organisms, animal waste, and plant litter to obtain nutrients. But microbes don't just eat nature's waste, they recycle it. The process of decomposition releases chemicals that can be used to build new plants and animals. Soil organic matter (SOM) includes improvement of soil quality through increased retention of water and nutrients, resulting in greater productivity of plants in natural environments and agricultural settings. Increased soil organic matter can improve water holding capacity of the soil, improves root growth and over time improves nutrient availability in the soil. 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. Building soil organic matter on croplands and rangelands sequesters carbon in soils, which helps mitigate the effects of climate change while potentially providing co-benefits for soil health and increased adaptive capacity.
Microorganisms break down the organic materials by many biological processes, first ammonification process, then nitrification ( released nitrate) then ammonification ( uptake by plant roots or microbes,)
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