The Soil Organic Matter in Connection with Soil Properties and Soil Inputs

Abstract

The content of organic matter in the soil, its labile (hot water extractable carbon–HWEC) and stable (soil organic carbon–SOC) form is a fundamental factor affecting soil productivity and health. The current research in soil organic matter (SOM) is focused on individual fragmented approaches and comprehensive evaluation of HWEC and SOC changes. The present state of the soil together with soil’s management practices are usually monitoring today but there has not been any common model for both that has been published. Our approach should help to assess the changes in HWEC and SOC content depending on the physico-chemical properties and soil´s management practices (e.g., digestate application, livestock and mineral fertilisers, post-harvest residues, etc.). The one- and multidimensional linear regressions were used. Data were obtained from the various soil´s climatic conditions (68 localities) of the Czech Republic. The Czech farms in operating conditions were observed during the period 2008–2018. The obtained results of ll monitored experimental sites showed increasing in the SOC content, while the HWEC content has decreased. Furthermore, a decline in pH and soil´s saturation was documented by regression modelling. Mainly digestate application was responsible for this negative consequence across all soils in studied climatic regions. The multivariate linear regression models (MLR) also showed that HWEC content is significantly affected by natural soil fertility (soil type), phosphorus content (−30%), digestate application (+29%), saturation of the soil sorption complex (SEBCT, 21%) and the dose of total nitrogen (N) applied into the soil (−20%). Here we report that the labile forms (HWEC) are affected by the application of digestate (15%), the soil saturation (37%), the application of mineral potassium (−7%), soil pH (−14%) and the overall condition of the soil (−27%). The stable components (SOM) are affected by the content of HWEC (17%), soil texture 0.01–0.001mm (10%), and input of organic matter and nutrients from animal production (10%). Results also showed that the mineral fertilization has a negative effect (−14%), together with the soil depth (−11%), and the soil texture 0.25–2 mm (−21%) on SOM. Using modern statistical procedures (MRLs) it was confirmed that SOM plays an important role in maintaining resp. improving soil physical, biochemical and biological properties, which is particularly important to ensure the productivity of agroecosystems (soil quality and health) and to future food security.

Potential Impact of Biostimulator NeOsol and Three Different Manure Types on Physical Soil Properties and Crop Status in Heavy Soils Conditions

“…Sustainable agriculture is necessary to provide careful nutrient management, which is important for increasing soil organic carbon due to improving agricultural productivity and maintaining ecosystem health [48]. One of the possibilities may be the application of manure, which improves soil fertility even in combination with mineral fertilizers [49]. On the other hand, the application of inorganic fertilizers directly leads to higher yields by providing nutrients that encourage crop growth [50].…”

Long-Term Effects of Calcium-Based Liming Materials on Soil Fertility Sustainability and Rye Production as Soil Quality Indicators on a Typic Palexerult

“…While it is true that plants can present normal growth in inorganic soil media, and even in liquid cultures containing no organic matter, so long as the essential inorganic nutrients are supplied, there are many benefits derived from the presence of organic matter in soil [1]. Furthermore, the presence of soil organic matter (SOM) affects the soil quality and the types of weathering products that form because of the influences of dissolution and aqueous speciation [2].…”

Effects of management practices on legume productivity in smallholder farming systems in sub‐Saharan Africa

“…With increasing SOC and soil pH, the negative effect of intercropping on legume grain and biomass yields decreased. Since both high SOC and pH are related to soil fertility, it can be assumed that nutrients needed for legume growth and BNF are less limited at higher levels of SOC and soil pH (Voltr et al, 2021). The non‐legume component crops are typically better nutrient scavengers than legumes and nutrient‐poor conditions therefore favour the non‐legume component compared to the legume when grown in a mixture (Jensen et al, 2020).…”