Why is Organic Soil
Organic soil has three distinctly different parts. It is made up of living organisms, fresh residues and molecules derived from well-decomposed residues. The living organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, help break down and digest organic matter into nutrients that plants can use. They also make mineral forms of phosphorus and nitrogen more available to plants.
They also help keep the Organic Soil from becoming too acidic, which can cause a number of problems. In addition, they provide a protective layer against naturally occurring chemicals such as aluminum that can harm plant roots. These soil organisms also help with nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, as well as pest and disease suppression. This all adds up to healthier and happier plants.
Soil organic matter improves a soil’s structure, allowing water to infiltrate deeper into the soil. It also helps increase the ability of the soil to hold and release water, increasing the amount that is available for plants to take up. This soil organic matter can come in the form of a soil mix, compost or other natural materials that you can add to your existing soil to improve its quality and nutrient content. It can be added to a variety of soil types from sandy to clay to silt.
Why is Organic Soil Important?
It also adds humus, which is a naturally occurring nutrient that improves soil fertility. This humus is rich in minerals, soluble salts and microbial biomass, all of which contribute to soil health. Another important role of soil organic matter is to reduce erosion by intercepting rainwater before it can reach the surface. Soil that is rich in organic matter can decrease erosion by as much as 20 percent compared to soils without a lot of this soil matter.
In addition to reducing erosion, soil that is rich in organic matter helps slow down runoff into streams and lakes, as well as groundwater. This can prevent chemically tainted runoff from reaching water sources and groundwater, which can be detrimental to our drinking water supplies.
This organic matter is essential to the healthy functioning of a wide range of soil microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Some of these microorganisms have the ability to fix nitrogen gas from the air, which makes it available to plants. Other microorganisms, such as nematodes and leaches, dissolve a variety of minerals and make them more available to plants.
Soil organic matter increases a soil’s cation exchange capacity (CEC). This capacity is the ability of the soil to hold and supply over time essential nutrients such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus to plants. Besides improving soil structure, the addition of organic matter also promotes better aeration and helps reduce the amount of runoff from the soil. This can be an important consideration if you live in an area that experiences frequent rains.
Soil with a lot of organic matter has a much higher diversity of soil organisms than soil that is depleted of this material. The diverse population of microorganisms in a healthy soil promotes the growth of healthier plants and trees that are more resistant to pests and diseases.