What are the mineral and organic constituents of soil and their role in maintaining soil productivity and central role of soil organic matter in carbon storage?
Hi. This is some very basic information. There is a lot more to find with Google.
Clays - Assist in water retention but may also be ion-exchangers that help hold important metal ions required by plants.
Sand - Allows aeration which is required for healthy root development. Gives better drainage so soil doesn't become waterlogged.
Humic acids - an organic ion exchanger which plays a similar role to clays in that sense but has other effects.
Organic matter - Encourages diverse microbe population. This is important as it assists in preventing one type of microbe from becoming dominant. Also provides soluble organic nutrients for plants and can reduce the need for inorganic sources of nitrate and phosphate which can lead to excess sodium addition to soils.
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