How do you increase the rate of decomposition and how does temperature affect the rate of decomposition of organic matter?
@ RK, rainfall, temperature, soil moisture and oxygen levels are generally affect organic matter decomposition. As a thumb rule organic matter decomposes faster in warm, humid climates and slower in cool, dry climates. A minimum of 50 to 55 % moisture level is needed for better decomposition. The ideal dissolve oxygen level conditions are 6.5-8 mg/L . Best temperature for decomposition was noticed between 25-35 degree Celsius. If the temperature is increased, the process is smoothly carried out and if the temperature is low, the process of decomposition is slow. The colder temperature decreases the rate of decomposition while warmer temperature increases the rate of decomposition. But above 104°F, decomposition rates generally decline (Alexander 1961).
You may like to have look at the attached article in Advances in Agronomy.
The average soil temperatures for bioactivity range from 50 to 75°F (10-24°C). These values are favorable for the normal life functions of the ground biota that ensure proper organic matter decomposition, increased nitrogen mineralization, uptake of soluble substances, and metabolism. The colder temperature decreases the rate of decomposition while warmer temperature increases the rate of decomposition. For this process, moisture is required. The temperature sensitivity of organic matter decomposition decreases with increasing temperature, indicated by the Q10 decreasing with temperature to be about 4.5 at 10°C and 2.5 at 20°C. Heating of an organic compound beyond a certain temperature leads to its decomposition since its chemical bonds have a limited thermal stability. Temperature is one of the main driving factors accelerating the mineralization of soil organic carbon. Climatic warming has accelerated the mineralization rate of soil organic carbon, resulting in accelerated microbial decomposition of soil organic matter, thereby speeding up the changes in soil nutrients. Soil temperature and moisture content are very important factors affecting decomposition rates. At favorable moisture conditions, increasing temperature results in an exponential increase in decomposition rates. If the temperature is increased, the process is smoothly carried out and if the temperature is low, the process of decomposition is slow. The colder temperature decreases the rate of decomposition while warmer temperature increases the rate of decomposition. At colder temperatures decomposing organisms will be less active, thus the rate of decomposition remains low. This is why we keep food in a fridge. As the temperature increases, decomposers become more active and the rate increases. Temperature and soil moisture are the most important climatic factors the regulate decomposition through their effects on the activities of soil microbes. Climatic conditions, such as rainfall and temperature, and soil moisture and aeration affect the rate of organic matter decomposition. Organic matter decomposes faster in warm, humid climates and slower in cool, dry climates. As the temperature increases, decomposers become more active and the rate of decay increases. When decomposers break compost down, the compost heap becomes warmer due to the respiration of the bacteria and fungi generating heat. At extremely high temperatures decomposers will be killed and decomposition will stop. When the reactants are heated, the average kinetic energy of the molecules increases. This means that more molecules are moving faster and hitting each other with more energy. If more molecules hit each other with enough energy to react, then the rate of the reaction increases. Consequently, the reaction rate is much slower at the lower temperature because only a relatively few molecules collide with enough energy to overcome the potential energy barrier.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Agricultural Science
- Agronomy
- Crop Science