WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES SOIL ORGANIC MATTER OFFER?
The influence of this natural element on the soil drastically changes the yield a crop can offer. This is all because:
- It improves the colloidal structure of the soil
One of the great properties of humic acids extracted from organic matter is that they increase the stability of the aggregates.
- Improves drainage
It binds particles with a lower potential than clays (heavy soils) and higher than sands (excessive drainage). It is the middle ground between compact soils and light soils.
- Heats the soil
Decomposing organic matter increases soil temperature, improves root development and decreases temperature variation between day and night.
- Reduces soil waterlogging
The aggregates formed by organic matter improve the balance between the gaseous and solid parts of the soil, increasing the air content present in the pores and helping water to infiltrate into deeper horizons.
- Improves the ability to remain unchanged in pH
The soil has a great buffer capacity. That is, the property it has to prevent pH changes. The organic matter stabilizes the soil and increases this capacity.
- It reduces the effects of erosion
Erosion is caused by the breakdown of particles. When a soil is impacted by certain meteorological phenomena (such as wind or heavy rain) or by human action (machinery), the particles are increasingly broken down.
Organic matter helps to prevent the breakdown of these particles, thus substantially reducing erosion.
- Water is better used
The humic components of compost or manure have a high capacity to absorb water (hydrophilicity). In times of drought, a soil with organic matter will store more water.
- Promotes soil microbiology
Both the improvement of the gaseous and solid component of the soil, as well as the humic colloids and the added particles, contribute to the increase of the level of beneficial microorganisms. This translates into higher atmospheric nitrogen fixation, higher nitrification rate of mineral nitrogen, etc.
Source: Agromatica.es and Fundación Global Nature