Soil organic matter is the storehouse of nutrients and also aids in improving soil water storage. SOM is central to soil health. Soil is the foundation on which the crops are grown and because of their multiple benefits, soil plays a central role in sustainable Agriculture.

SOM sequesters carbon dioxide and singularly contributes to the largest terrestrial pool of C. By sequestration, the emissions of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, is mitigated.

Thus, soil plays a big role in climate change.

Modifying the soil by tillage and cropping practices, we alter the carbon balance. Therefore, we need to protect the soil and have farming systems that can increase the soil organic matter. Some of the systems are being proposed are regenerative agriculture, organic farming etc.

Dr Desouza Blaise thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Soils are the largest store of terrestrial carbon on Earth. Conserving and improving carbon (held in soil organic matter) through judicious soil use and land management can help to mitigate climate change, combat degradation of soil and water quality, and address food security. Global warming increases the rate of decomposition of soil organic carbon (C), a major loss pathway of C from the land surface to the atmosphere, thus contributing to the increase in atmospheric CO2 and hence, global temperatures. Changes in the quantity of carbon stored in the soil can affect the global carbon cycle and alter carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Thus, decreases in soil carbon may raise greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, thus contributing to climate change. Soil organic matter is a primary source of carbon (C) which gives energy and nutrients to soil organisms. This supports soil functionality because it improves the activity of microorganisms in the soil and it can enhance biodiversity. The degradation of one third of the world's soils has released up to 78 Gt of carbon into the atmosphere. Further damage to soil carbon stocks through poor land management will hamper efforts to limit global temperature rise, to avoid increased floods, droughts and other negative climate change impacts. The production of these farm chemicals are energy intensive. Studies show that the elimination of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers alone, as is required in organic systems, could lower direct global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by about 20%. Soil organic matter functions as a crucial source and sink for nutrients, as a substrate for microbial activity, and as a buffer against fluctuations in acidity, water content, contaminants, etc. Healthy soils produce healthy crops that in turn nourish people and animals. Indeed, soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity. Soils supply the essential nutrients, water, oxygen and root support that our food-producing plants need to grow and flourish. Organic matter in the soil balances various chemical and biological processes and helps to maintain soil quality parameters at an ideal level. It improves water infiltration rate and water-holding capacity. It serves as a reservoir of nutrients and water and supplies them to crops when needed.

Soil organic matter is a critical component of sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation. It helps sequester carbon, improves soil structure, retains and recycles nutrients, and enhances water management while fostering biodiversity and soil health. By reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture and increasing its resilience to climate change, soil organic matter plays a central role in organic and sustainable farming practices.

Dr Prabin Banstola thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Soil organic matter functions as a crucial source and sink for nutrients, as a substrate for microbial activity, and as a buffer against fluctuations in acidity, water content, contaminants, etc. 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. Increasing levels of organic matter aid in soil structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient mineralization, biological activity, and water and air infiltration rates. Soil organic matter is the single most important soil property that can be influenced through management practices. Soil organic matter is the fraction of the soil that consists of plant or animal tissue in various stages of breakdown (decomposition). Most of our productive agricultural soils have between 3 and 6% organic matter. Soil organic matter contributes to soil productivity in many different ways. SOC is the product of carbon dioxide being stored in the soil through photosynthesis, primarily through plants. In addition to the soil providing homes to small and large organisms and helping plants grow, it is an important facet of halting global warming. Global warming increases the rate of decomposition of soil organic carbon (C), a major loss pathway of C from the land surface to the atmosphere, thus contributing to the increase in atmospheric CO2 and hence, global temperatures. Soil organic matter is a primary source of carbon (C) which gives energy and nutrients to soil organisms. This supports soil functionality because it improves the activity of microorganisms in the soil and it can enhance biodiversity. The degradation of one third of the world's soils has released up to 78 Gt of carbon into the atmosphere. Further damage to soil carbon stocks through poor land management will hamper efforts to limit global temperature rise, to avoid increased floods, droughts and other negative climate change impacts. Soil organic carbon is a component of soil organic matter. Organic matter is primarily made up of carbon (58%), with the remaining mass consisting of water and other nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium.

Most of our agricultural soils have organic matter less than 1.5%. In fact, the soils at present, sustaining the highest yields of rice and wheat have less than 1%. These soils in Punjab and Haryana heavily rely on fertilizers for achieving high yields.

Over the years it has been seen that such systems cannot be sustainable on a long-term basis. Therefore, interest in the application of organic manure to bring our soil back to sustain high yield with minimal fertilizer. Soils having high OM levels have produced higher levels of yield with a lower level of fertilizer inputs than the present high inputs farming.

The key question is how to increase the organic matter? CA is one such technology. Anything [technology or practice] that can speed up an increase in organic matter in the shortest time frame... something that fertilizers do. They show the remarkable effects on crop growth and yield.

Dr Desouza Blaise thank you for your contribution to the discussion