Soil organic matter is responsible for the regulation of soil temperature, amelioration of climatic conditions, improvement of soil microbial biomass which will in turn lead to the increase in crop productivities

Dr Uchechukwu Thankgod Ogegu thank you for your contribution to the discussion

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 water logging. Soil organic matter plays a crucial role in maintaining sustainability of cropping systems by improving soil physical (texture, structure, bulk density and water holding capacity), chemical (nutrient availability, cation exchange capacity, reducing aluminum toxicity and allelopathy), and biological (nitrogen mineralization bacteria). Managing the physical properties of the soil includes the protection of the soil structure necessary for agricultural production, as well as the application of agricultural techniques and processing techniques to increase the long-term efficiency of the soil. Ecosystem services provided by soil include regulation of the atmosphere and climate, primary (including agricultural) production, waste processing, decomposition, nutrient conservation, water purification, erosion control, medical resources, pest control, and disease mitigation. Soils rich in organic matter hold more air and water and produce higher yields than soils low in organic matter. They also supply a steady release of nutrients to plants, inhibit erosion, and host a robust population of beneficial microorganisms. 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 aids 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.

The articles in the following links provide elaborate answers:

https://www.jswconline.org/content/jswc/75/2/27A.full.pdf

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00103624.2012.697234?casa_token=pfQSCRAqdxYAAAAA%3A4qqSxplkD9CEseNYzmrNbwA647R0q3s0t5vUZrI65Jx2s_X0yTPib2jdYUVbRvltupXe-scYbqL5mw

https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/agj2.20282?casa_token=tNcS4pI8mX8AAAAA%3AKuh3_ZkYurFRn0FqXaoLxVnVVT9RapibP04L2LxhWfPHIEGAtfmMyLn2r0LR_szD3txY-2Dio8J3GlE

https://www.nature.com/articles/nature16069