What is the effect of adding organic matter to soil and plants when it is in the form of a layer without mixing it with the soil, at a depth of 20 cm to 40 cm below the surface of the soil
This is treating the organic amendment as a mulch layer. In that condition, it will moderate the soil T and evaporative loss. It moght be slowly incorporated by worms and microbial decomposition might use up N depending on the C:N ratio. Were the organic layer to dry out it might be water repellent.
@ Layth, subsurface organic matter may binds soil aggregates, thus reducing compaction and increasing water infiltration. It can helps to improves the soil's capacity to store and supply essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium etc. It may also allows the soil to cope with changes in soil acidity, and helps soil minerals to decompose faster. In addition subsurface addition of soil organic matter absorbs and holds water that has infiltrated into soil. So, as soil organic matter increases, the amount of water held in the soil for plant use also increases.
Nice responses...
Thats a difficult speculation about the effect of adding soil organic matter at 20- 40 cm soil depth , unless soil properties and type of crop are defined , the major determinants for legacy carbon . However , it will be an interesting discussion to relate soil C with plant caron fòtprint
I agree with Dr J C Tarafdar because adding organic matter improves soils high in clay or sand. Soils high in OM retain more moisture, have a crumbly structure that resists soil compaction, and contain a reservoir of nutrients that are slowly released over time. OM improves soil aeration, water drainage, root growth, and biological activity. Organic matter causes soil to clump and form soil aggregates, which improves soil structure. With better soil structure, permeability improves, in turn improving the soil's ability to take up and hold water. Organic matter is very important for crop production because: It helps in improving soil structure. It helps in increasing the water-holding capacity of sandy soil. In clayey soil, large quantities of organic matter help in drainage and in avoiding waterlogging. Properties influenced by organic matter are soil structure; moisture holding capacity; diversity and activity of soil organisms, both those that are beneficial and harmful to crop production; and nutrient availability.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Geoscience
- Asia
- India