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Organic Matter Management 4 The Soil Management Series 4 Organic Matter Management

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Page 1: Organic Matter Management - conservancy.umn.edu€¦ · Organic Matter Management 4 The Soil Management Series 4 Organic Matter Management

Organic MatterManagement

4

The Soil Management Series

4

Organic MatterManagement

Page 2: Organic Matter Management - conservancy.umn.edu€¦ · Organic Matter Management 4 The Soil Management Series 4 Organic Matter Management

THE SOIL MANAGEMENT SERIES:!"#$%&'(%)*+,(),-.$/,0)",1.(,2)3.,43)2,0)"3,+)%$

!"#$"#%&'()&*%(+&,&-#+&,.%#/&(-&0#*#$,12#/&-(%&2(.,2&3,%4#$/5&(%&$+(&$"()/,67&,.%#/&(-&.(%6&,67&/('1#,6/&-(%&86$#%6,$8(6,2&3,%4#$/5&'()&7#9#67&(6&$(9&9#%-(%3,6.#&-%(3&'()%&/(82:&;"#&<(82&=,6>,*#3#6$&/#%8#/&8/&,83#7&,$&839%(086*&/(82&9#%-(%3,6.#:&?#.,)/#&#,."&-,%3&8/&)68@)#5&$"#&/#%8#/&+822&6($&$#22&'()&$"#&A1#/$&+,'B&$(&3,6,*#&'()%&/(82:&C62'&'()&.,6&7#.87#&$",$:&D6/$#,75&8$&+822&"#29&'()&3,4#&3(%#&#--#.$80#&)/#&(-&%#.(33#67,$8(6/&-%(3&$"#&)680#%/8$'5&.(6/)2$,6$/5&,67&($"#%&,708/(%/:

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

;"8/&/#%8#/&+822&"#29&1'&9%(08786*&$"#&1,.4*%()67&/.8#6.#&6##7#7&$(&3(68$(%&/(82&,67&$(&)67#%/$,67&"(+&'()&.,6&3(78-'&*#6#%,2&%#.(33#67,$8(6/&$(&/)8$&$"#&6##7/&(-&'()%&-,%3:&G,."&9)128.,$8(6&&.(6/8/$/&(-&$"#&-(22(+86*&/#.$8(6/&$",$&-#,$)%#&1,/8.&86-(%3,$8(65&9%,.$8.,2&,9928.,$8(6/5&,67&92,.#/&$(&2((4&-(%&3(%#&"#29H

5%($.+,%*,(-.,6)%$,7'*'1.2.*(,6.3%.+,%*&$"8.9IJ&&<(82&=,6,*#3#6$&K?L>MNOOJPJ&&Q(39,.$8(6&K?L>MRSSJNJ&&=,6)%#&=,6,*#3#6$&K?L>MRSIJ&&RJ&&C%*,68.&=,$$#%&=,6,*#3#6$&K?L>MRSPJ&TJ&&<(82&?8(2(*'&,67&<(82&=,6,*#3#6$&K?L>MRSNJ

:)/%.+&(-&$"#&8678087),2&$8$2#/&,67&$"#&.(392#$#&/#%8#/&KUQ>MNOVJ&.,6&1#&(%7#%#7&-%(3&$"#&L680#%/8$'&(-&=866#/($,&GF$#6/8(6&<#%08.#&W8/$%81)$8(6&Q#6$#%5&RST&Q(--#'&X,225&IRPS&G.42#/&E0#6)#5&<$:&U,)25&=Y&TTISV>ZSZV:&;(&(%7#%&1'&#>3,82H&(%7#%[#F$#6/8(6:)36:#7)&(%&1'&.%#78$&.,%7H&KVSSJ&VMZ>VZNZ:

THE SOIL MANAGER —#F92,86/&3,6,*#3#6$&(9$8(6/&-(%&839%(086*&'()%&/(82:

THE SOIL SCIENTIST —%#08#+/&$"#&/(82&/.8#6.#&9%86.892#/&$",$&,%#&839(%$,6$&& & & &&&&&& & & $(&9%(7).$8(6&,*%8.)2$)%#:

YOUR FARM —"#29/&'()&,992'&+",$&'()&,%#&%#,786*&$(&'()%&(+6&-,%3:

WHAT’S NEXT? —+%,9/&)9&$"#&.",9$#%&1'&"#2986*&'()&,//#//&'()%&(9#%,$8(6&,67&/(82:

FURTHER RESOURCES —28/$/&9#(92#&,67&9)128.,$8(6/&$(&.(6/)2$&-(%&3(%#&86-(%3,$8(6:

Page 3: Organic Matter Management - conservancy.umn.edu€¦ · Organic Matter Management 4 The Soil Management Series 4 Organic Matter Management

WHY MANAGE SOIL ORGANIC MATTER?

1

In this                    publication

What is organic matter?

What does organic matter do?

How to build organic matter levels

Why are C:N ratios important?

Pests and other problems

!"#$%&#'()(#*%%+,-.#"%)#/)%0&12,3(#"4)5*4-06#$%&#'%&*0#'4-2#4-#,0(4*#7%,*#,-#'8,189!""#$%&'"(%)*+",-$./01"0/02",-$%)3-"+$4"'&0**'1"!""$%%,'"(%)*+"3$%("05,02'./0*41"!"".6&*0602,'"(%)*+"&)**"07'.*41"72+!"",-0"'%.*"(%)*+"$0'.',"0$%'.%2"72+"#%6&7#,.%28"

92"%,-0$"(%$+'1"4%)"(%)*+"*%%:";%$"'%.*"(.,-"-.3-"%$372.#"67,,0$"*0/0*'8"<%.*"%).4-,1#5422()6#4-0#28(#7%,*#%).4-,757#2842#*,3(#%-#,26#4)(#1),2,14*#2%#54-$#7%,*#&$%#0''0'8"9,"7**%('"-.3-"#$%&"4.0*+'"72+"$0+)#0+".2&),"#%','8=0,"'%60";7$60$'"203*0#,",-.'"/7*)7>*0"$0'%)$#0">4",.**.23"05#0''./0*4"%$">4"2%,"#$03)*7$*4"7++.23">7#:"%$372.#"67,,0$8"?0$0".'"&7$,"%;"(-7,"-7&&02'",%"'%.*"#&0$;%$672#0"(-02"%$372.#"67,,0$"*0/0*'"+0#*.208"" "

, , , ;"(3%.*(,, <='%$'#$.,>'(.3,, 6)%$, ?4,)31'*%&,2'((.3,, -)$8%*1,&'/'&%(0, -)$8%*1,&'/'&%(0, (.@("3., 8.&3.'+.+,43)2,, 2'0,8.&3.'+.,#0, 2'0,8.&3.'+.,#0,

$)'20,+'*8,ABC,&$'0D, EC,(),FGBC, FHC, FEC,+%$(,$)'2,AEIC,&$'0D, HC,(),JGBC, HC, KC

What are you doing to your soil organic matter?:&,*0,-.#7%,*#%).4-,1#5422()#54$#;(#28(#5%72#,5/%)24-2#28,-.#$%&#14-#0%#2%#(-84-1(#*%23@,0$6"'%.*"&0$;%$672#08"A-.'"&)>*.#7,.%2"(.**"-0*&"4%)")2+0$',72+",-0"+4276.#'"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$"72+"(.**"0576.20"-%("4%)"#%)*+".6&$%/0"'%.*"%$372.#"67,,0$"%2"4%)$";7$68

Organic Matter Management

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2

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HOW DO I BUILD UP ORGANIC MATTER?

?*&3.'+%*1,)31'*%&,2'((.3,$.=.$+,3.L"%3.+,(-3..,'*1$.+,)4,'(('&M9!1) Add organic material.2) Reduce losses.3) Manage the new dynamics of the system.

1) Add organic matter!#"#$%"6%$0"%$372.#"67,,0$8"B*72"7"-.3-"$0'.+)0"$%,7,.%2",-7,".2#*)+0'C" !"'%+"#$%&'",-7,"*07/0"*%,'"%;"$%%,'".2",-0"'%.*"D'67**"3$7.2'"%$";%$730'E1"" !"#$%&'",-7,"*07/0"7"*%,"%;"')$;7#0"$0'.+)0"D08381"3$7.2"#%$2E1" !"#%/0$"#$%&'",-7,"')&&*4">%,-8!#&''()"*./0',%#:"672)$08"F72)$0".'"72"05#0**02,"(74",%">).*+"%$372.#"67,,0$8"<00"!"#$%&'!"#"(&)&#*"DGH@IJKL".2",-.'"'0$.0'E8

!#*$+,-.#%""<"4)5#7%&)1(7#%"#%).4-,1#5422()6#7&18#47#"%%0#/)%1(77,-.#'472(7#%$"672)$0";$%6"20.3->%$'8

2) Reduce organic matter losses!"/.01+.!-2((,3.4"F0$0*4"67.2,7.2.23"'%.*"%$372.#"67,,0$"*0/0*'".'"+.;M#)*,".;"'%.*".'".2,02'./0*4",.**0+"D')#-"7'"(.,-"722)7*")'0"%;"7"6%*+>%7$+"&*%(8E"=(0&1,-.#2,**4.(#5(4-7#*(43,-.#5%)(#)(7,0&(6#4-0#2,**,-.#*(77#%"2(-#4-0#*(77#.2,02'./0*4",-72"#%2/02,.%27*",.**7308"N%@,.**".'",-0"6%',"05,$060"/0$'.%2"%;")(0&1(0#2,**4.(6#;&2#,7#-%2#0(7,)4;*(#%-#7%5(#7%,*7#4-0#,7#-%2#28(#%-*$#'4$#2%##%2'0$/0"'%.*"%$372.#"67,,0$8

!"5$6-#$(!.#$72$64"A-0"'%.*",-7,"0$%+0'";$%6",-0"')$;7#0"%;"4%)$"*72+".'",-0"'%.*"(.,-",-0"-.3-0',"#%2#02,$7,.%2"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$8"O$%'.%2".'"0'&0#.7**4"+0,$.602,7*"(-0$0",%&'%.*"%$372.#"67,,0$".'"'-7**%(8

3) Manage the changes in your new system!#8(,6#8%'#2%#54-4.(#184-.(7#,-#'((0#%)#/(72#/)%;*(57#477%1,42(0#',28#.2#$07'0+"')$;7#0"$0'.+)08"P00+'"72+"&0','"7$0"2%,"20#0''7$.*4"3$07,0$"/)%;*(57#',28#,-1)(47(0#)(7,0&(6#;&2#54$#)(>&,)(#0,""()(-2#54-4.(5(-2#',$7,03.0'8

!#9$62-$##7%,*#4-0#+((/#)(1%)07#7%#$%&#+-%'#'842#(""(127#$%&)#/)412,1(7#4)(#-7/.238"92#*)+0"72"%$372.#"67,,0$",0',".2"4%)$"$03)*7$"'%.*",0',.238"Q7>'"7$0">03.22.23",%"%;;0$",0','"D')#-"7'",-0"&7$,.#)*7,0"%$372.#"67,,0$",0',E",-7,"607')$0",-0"7#,./0";$7#,.%28"F%2.,%$"#-7230'".2"&7,,0$2'"%;"(00+"72+"&0',"&$%>*06'8"

:..!;1#-<.#!/.7$1#+.7!!!=$#!+$6-,+-!26=$#>,-2$6

&?$1-!6$@-2((!'''''''''''''''''''R%2'0$/7,.%2"A0#-2%*%34"92;%$67,.%2"R02,0$"DRA9RE1"/)%0&1(7#/&;*,142,%-7#4;%&2##%2'0$/7,.%2",.**7308+,-./00'1"%)&%#,7#4#/)412,14*#-('7*(22()#/&;*,78(0#;$##Q0''.,0$"B)>*.#7,.%2'8"

&?$1-!7$2(!>$62-$#263 2,/0'!"#"(&)&#*"DGH@ISTT""".2",-.'"'0$.0'E".2#*)+0'".+07'"""%)#+((/,-.#)(1%)07#%"#$%&)#184-.,-.#/)412,1(7#4-0#7%,*##%2+.,.%2'8

THE SOIL MANAGER

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3

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&?$1-!+$>'$7-263! !"#$%&'!"#"(&)&#*#######DGH@IJKL".2",-.'"'0$.0'E",-1*&0(7#,-"%)542,%-#,-#28(#U)$,-0$"V0'%)$#0'"'0#,.%28#&?$1-!+$A.#!+#$'7W':"4%)$"O5,02'.%2"0+)#7,%$"#"%)#28(#*42(72#,-"%)542,%-#4;%&2#1%3()#1)%/7#,-#$%&)#7$078!"#"(/#('3,4&%'3%,56'!"#$%&'()*"X2+"O+.,.%2"LTTY8""?(71),;(7#184)412(),72,17#%"#'&0#.M#"#%/0$"#$%&'8

&?$1-!7.%,3.!7(%/8$0*$%"0'9*/0/:"*/,#',;'+,-&.,/+(01.,2/3/4-,5%)/6,&"/+%01)/&%/%7,/8#9,:#05%/7(%/8$0*$%"0'<=5&%/)&#*'2*"*/,#>#A-.'".'"7",-%$%)3-"+0'#$.&,.%2"#%"#%-(#72&0$#%"#7/)(40,-.#'0(730"'*)+30"%2"M0*+'8"A-0"M$',"#-7&,0$".2,$%+)#0'",-0"54@%)#1%-1()-7#4-0#,77&(7#')$$%)2+.23",-0")'0"%;"'*)+308"A-0",$.7*"#%2#*)+0+",-7,"7('4.(#7*&0.(#,7#74"(#4-0#>020M#.7*".;"7&&*.0+"7,"$7,0'";47(0#%-#28(#-,2)%.(-#-((07#%;",-0"#$%&'8"9;"7&&*.0+"#05#0''./0*41".,"#72"#7)'0"#/)%;*(57#',28#74*2#;&,*0<&/##%$"2.,$7,0"*07#-.238

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What are some sources of organic matter?5#$'!#.7201.4#A%)#5%72#"4)576#)%%27#4-0#4;%3(<.)%&-0#/*4-2#.)%'28#4)(#28(#6%',".6&%$,72,"'%)$#0'"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$8"P-02"#-%%'.23"/7$.0,.0'"72+"#$%&")%242,%-76#1%-7,0()#8%'#5&18#)(7,0&(#',**#;(#.(-()42(06#4-0#8%'#54-$#6%2,-'"07#-"407$"&*72,'"(.**">0"3$%(.23"72+"#$07,.23"%$372.#"67,,0$8

"#..6!>,61#.4"U.2+.23"7&&$%&$.7,0"#%/0$"#$%&'".'"+.;M#)*,".2"$03.%2'"(.,-"7"78%)2#.)%',-.#7(47%-6#;&2#28()(#4)(#%/2,%-7#4-0#28(#)(7(4)18#4-0#0(3(*%/<602,"%;"7&&$%&$.7,0"#$%&'".'"05&72+.238"

*2A.7-$+B!>,61#.4"<&$07+.23"672)$0"%/0$"4%)$"*72+".'"72"05#0**02,"(74",%"(-84-1(#%).4-,1#5422()6#7&//*$#-&2),(-276#4-0#/)(3(-2#54-&)(#")%5#;(1%5<.23"7"&%**),72,8"9;"72.67*'"7$0"2%,"&7$,"%;"4%)$"%&0$7,.%21"20.3->%$.23"#;7$60$'"674">0"7"'%)$#08"<00"!"#$%&'!"#"(&)&#*"DGH@IJKL".2",-.'"'0$.0'E";%$"6%$0".2;%$67,.%28

:.%,3.!7(103.4"?)672"(7',0'"7$0"7*'%"2),$.02,@$.#-8"<&$07+.23"'*)+30"%2"*72+",7#18(4/()#"%)#1%55&-,2,(7#284-#7%5(#%28()#5(28%07#%"#2)(425(-2#4-0##+.'&%'7*8"9;"4%)$"*%#7*"#%66)2.,4"(.**"67:0".,"7/7.*7>*0",%";7$60$'1"7':"7>%),",-0"'%)$#0"72+"#%2,02,"%;",-0"'*)+308"R%2,76.272,'"')#-"7'"-07/4"#60,7*'"7$0"72".6&%$,72,"#%2#0$2",%".2/0',.37,0"72+",0',";%$8"

8#$+.77263!%,7-.74#B(.(24;*(#/)%1(77,-.#/*4-276#'%%0#/)%1(77,-.#/*4-276#;)('(),(76#4-0#%28()#,-0&72),(7#.(-()42(#%).4-,1#'472(7#2842#14-#;(#&7("&*#'%.*"7602+602,'8"

THE SOIL MANAGER

C$6D-!=$#3.-!-<.!#$$-7<)%-,.#&%#/87)#&8/&(62'&9,%$&(-&+",$&92,6$/&.(6$%81)$#&$(&/(82&(%*,68.&3,$$#%:&\(($/&.,6&,77&",2-&,*,86&,/&3)."&3,$#%8,2:&C6#&@),%$#%&(-&$"#&(%*,68.&3,$$#%&9%(7).#7&1'&.(%6&(%&/('1#,6/&8/&9%(7).#7&1'&$"#&%(($/:&D6&9%,8%8#/5&",2-&(-&92,6$&9%(7).$8(6&8/&)67#%*%()67:&X(+&7(#/&$",$&$%,6/2,$#&86$(&+#8*"$]&Q(%6&3,'&9%(7).#&I^P&$(&P&$(6/&(-&%(($&(%*,68.&3,$$#%&86&#,."&,.%#:&<('1#,6/&3,'&9%(7).#&I^N&(-&,&$(65&,67&$"#&9%,8%8#&3,4#/&(0#%&P&$(6/:&D6&6(>$822&/8$),$8(6/&+"#%#5&/)%-,.#&%#/87)#&8/&6($&%#*)2,%2'&$822#7&86$(&/(825&%(($/&1#.(3#&#/9#.8,22'&.%8$8.,2&,/&,&/()%.#&(-&/(82&(%*,68.&&3,$$#%:#

How do I choose a source of organic matter?U%$"6%',"&0%&*01",-0"#-%.#0".'"+0,0$6.20+">4"#%2/02.02#0"72+"0#%2%6.#'8?0$0"7$0"'%60"%,-0$"Z)0',.%2'",%"7':"(-02"7''0''.23"7"'%)$#0"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$8"A-0'0".'')0'"7$0"7++$0''0+".2",-0";%**%(.23"&730'8#

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!"P-7,".'",-0"2),$.02,"#%2,02,["?%("6)#-"'-%)*+"9"7&&*4"72+"(.**".,"7**%("60",%"$0+)#0";0$,.*.\0$"7&&*.#7,.%2'["

!"P-7,".'",-0"RCN"$7,.%["P.**"#$%&'"30,",-0"2.,$%302",-04"200+".;"9")'0",-.'"#67,0$.7*[""

!"92"(-7,";%$6".'",-0"67,0$.7*["U%$"0576&*01".'".,"7"*.Z).+",-7,"(.**"+0#%6&%'0"Z).#:*41"%$"#%7$'0"67,0$.7*",-7,"#72"-0*&"#%2,$%*"$)2%;;[

!"]%0'".,"#%2,7.2"-7$6;)*"#%6&%202,'"')#-"7'"(00+"'00+'1"-07/4"60,7*'1"%$"#-06.#7*'",-7,"674".2-.>.,"#$%&"3$%(,-[

!"P.**"3$%(,-".2-.>.,%$'"&$%+)#0+"7'".,"+0#%6&%'0'"7;;0#,",-0";%**%(.23"#$%&[!"P-7,".'"$0Z).$0+";%$",$72'&%$,7,.%2"72+"7&&*.#7,.%2["R%2'.+0$"0Z).&602,"$0Z).$0+1",.6.23"D$0*7,./0",%"%,-0$";7$6"7#,./.,.0'E1"72+"(-0,-0$".2#%$&%$7,.%2".2,%",-0"'%.*".'"+0'.$7>*08

Is it possible to add too much organic matter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

Can I reduce fertilizer applications when I add organic materials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

&?$1-!9,61#.!"#$%&'!"#"(&)&#*#######DGH@IJKL".2",-.'"'0$.0'E"#0,71&77(7#4//*,142,%-#)42(76#4-0#-&2),(-2#1%-2(-2#%"#672)$08

&?$1-!62-#$3.6!+#.02-7!=$#!(.31>.7';,"%<(<=,"/8,>#::,51&%<#59/;,%'7(%,#,)/8'3%,56'/#''!/##&6,*""DGH@`XJKE8

THE SOIL MANAGER

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5

Why is the carbon­to­nitrogen ratio important?O7#-"%$372.#"7602+602,"-7'"7"#-7$7#,0$.',.#"76%)2,"%;"#7$>%2".2"&$%&%$,.%2",%"2.,$%3028"D<00",7>*0">0*%(E8"W"*%("#7$>%2@,%@2.,$%302"$7,.%"6072'",-0"67,0$.7*".'"-.3-".2"2.,$%3028"F7,0$.7*'"(.,-"7"-.3-"RCN"$7,.%"D*%("2.,$%302E"+0#%6&%'0"'*%(*4"72+"674",$.330$"2.,$%302"+0M#.02#4".2"&*72,'"7'",-04"+0#%6&%'08

How can adding organic matter trigger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

<+,',3"$.N)4N(-"2#O,2'(.3%'$+,>%(-,:9;,3'(%)+,$.++,(-'*,JI9F,>%$$,*)(,,!"#$$%"&!%'()"*"+&,#!")$%,&-%./#%,/+0!

A-0"2.,$%302".'"2%,"*%',";$%6",-0"'%.*a.,".'"',.**"&$0'02,".2",-0"#0**'"%;"6.@##$%>0'a>),"&*72,'"#722%,")'0".,8"])$.23",-.'".2.,.7*"+0#74"&$%#0''1"6.#$%>0'"7$0".,3,-.#%""#*4).(#45%&-27#%"#EFG#2%#28(#425%7/8()(#4-0#28(#14);%-<2%<-,2)%.(-#$7,.%"%;",-0"$067.2.23"%$372.#"67,0$.7*"+0#*.20'8"F.#$%>.7*"7#,./.,4"'*%('"#>0#7)'0",-0"$067.2.23"#%6&%)2+'"7$0"6%$0"$0#7*#.,$72,"D+.;M#)*,",%"+0#%6@#&%'0E8"W,",-.'"&%.2,1"2.,$%302";$%6",-0"+4.23"6.#$%>0'">0#%60'"7/7.*7>*0",%"#&*72,'8

THE SOIL MANAGER

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6

Want to know more?

What about disease and other problems?D7#',28#4-$#-('#54-4.(5(-2#/)412,1(6#184**(-.(7#14-#(5().(#',28#28(##>020M,'8"G0;%$0"'(.,#-.23"4%)$"(-%*0";7$6",%"7"20("&$7#,.#01",$4"%),"20("#%$372.#"67,0$.7*'"%$",.**730"&$7#,.#0'"%2"7"'67**"&*%,"%;"*72+8"P7,#-"-%(",-0"20("'4',06"(%$:'"72+"72,.#.&7,0"&$%>*06'8"A-0";%**%(.23"7$0"'%60"&$%>*06'"4%)"6.3-,"*%%:";%$"72+"7':"7>%),8

Weeds<%60";$0'-"672)$0'"674"&$%6%,0"(00+"3$%(,-"72+"674"#%2,7.2"(00+"'00+'8"A0',"20("672)$0"'%)$#0'"%2"7"'67**"7$07">0;%$0"'&$07+.23"%2"*7$30"7#$07308"P%$'0",-72"672)$0"(.,-"7"*%,"%;"(00+"'00+'".'"672)$0"(.,-"20("(00+'",-7,"-7/0"20/0$">0;%$0"#%2,76.27,0+"7"&7$,.#)*7$"M0*+"%$";7$68"U%$",-.'"$07'%21"7':"'8()(#28(#"((0#"%)#28(#4-,54*7#145(#")%5#;("%)(#;&$,-.#54-&)(#")%5#4-%28()#;7$68

Diseases<%60"$0'.+)0'"-7$>%$"+.'07'0",-7,"674"7;;0#,",-0"205,"#$%&8"U%$"0576&*01"(-.,0"6%*+"%2"')2b%(0$"-)**'"(.**"7;;0#,">072'8"9;"4%)"-7/0"7"'&0#.M#"+.'07'0"#/)%;*(56#4-0#4)(#1%-7,0(),-.#400,-.#4#-('#1)%/#2%#$%&)#)%242,%-6#47+#'8(28()#,-0"#$%&"#72"-%',",-0"+.'07'0"%$372.'68

Growth inhibitorscW**0*%&7,-.#d"#-06.#7*'"7$0"#-06.#7*'"&$%+)#0+"7'"7"&*72,"3$%('"D%$"7'".,'"$0'.+)0"+0#74'E",-7,"#72".2-.>.,",-0"3$%(,-"%;"%,-0$"&*72,'8"W**0*%&7,-4"#72">0"7"#>020M,"%$"7"&$%>*068"U%$"0576&*01"$40"$0'.+)0"$0+)#0'"(00+"30$6.27,.%2"72+".'"'%60,.60'")'0+";%$"(00+"#%2,$%*8"e2",-0"%,-0$"-72+1"$0&*72,0+"7*;7*;7"674"2%,"3$%("(0**".2"7*;7*;7"$0'.+)08"W**0*%&7,-.#"0;;0#,'"7$0"#%6&*05"72+"+0&02+"%2"&*72,"3020,.#'1"(07,-0$1"72+"&*72,"',$0''0'8"H2;%$,)27,0*41",-0$0".'"2%,"6)#-"&$7#,.#7*"3).+72#0"7/7.*7>*0";%$";7$60$'"7,",-.'",.608

ContaminantsF)2.#.&7*"'%*.+"(7',0'"72+"'0(730"674"#%2,7.2"-07/4"60,7*'"72+"%,-0$"##%2,76.272,'8"A0',",-0"67,0$.7*">0;%$0"7&&*.#7,.%2"72+"6%2.,%$"'%.*"*0/0*'"(-02")'.23",-0'0"&$%+)#,'8"W"6%$0"#%66%2"#%2,76.27,.%2"&$%>*06"$0*7,0'",%"&-%'&-%$)'8"F72)$0"#72"*07+",%"&-%'&-%$)'">).*+@)&".2",-0"'%.*".;")'0+"%/0$"72"05,02+0+"&0$.%+"%;",.608"W&&*4"672)$0"7,"$7,0'">7'0+"%2"#$%&"2),$.02,"200+'"72+"'%.*"2),$.02,"*0/0*'8

&?$1-!,((.($',-<)!3((,#?&%7)/&51/3."<>0(%0"&(/+09%&<5&'<(<%)8

/3((,(#?&%7)/<5/@"#??<5./+)9%,:98

&?$1-!027.,7.!W':"4%)$"O5,02'.%2"0+)#7,%$"7>%),"'&0#.M#"+.'07'0'",-7,"7$0"#7"&$%>*06"%2"4%)$";7$68"U%$"5%)(#.(-()4*#,-"%)542,%-6#@"#?/8#%&%<#59/A#"/B&5&.<5./?0"#*'@/6&"6&"DLTTS1"N%$,-"]7:%,7"O5,02'.%2"<0$/.#0E"*.','"#$%&'"7;;0#,0+">4"LJ"#.6&%$,72,"+.'07'0"%$372.'6'8

THE SOIL MANAGER

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7

WHAT IS ORGANIC MATTER?e$372.#"67,,0$".'",-0"/7',"7$$74"%;"#7$>%2"#%6&%)2+'".2"'%.*8"e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

Stabilized organic matter F724"'%.*"%$372.'6'"+0#%6&%'0"&*72,"72+"72.67*",.'')0'1"72+",$72';%$6",-0"""""""""""#%$372.#"67,,0$".2,%"20("#%6&%)2+'8"W;,0$"407$'"%$"+0#7+0'"%;",-0'0",$72';%$67<,.%2'1"(-7,"$067.2'"7$0"*7$301"#%6&*05"#%6&%)2+'",-7,";0("6.#$%>0'"#72"#+03$7+08"e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

Living Organism(<5%)

Fresh OrganicResidue(<10%)

Active Fraction (decomposingorganic matter)(33% to 50%)

StabilizedOrganicMatter(33% to 50%)

P31'*%&,&)2/)"*8+,%*,+)%$;"8/&98#&.",%$&%#9%#/#6$/&(%*,68.&3,$$#%&86&/(82&1#-(%#&.)2$80,$8(6:&E-$#%&2,67&",/&1##6&.)2$80,$#7&-(%&(6#&(%&$+(&7#.,7#/5&3)."&(-&$"#&,.$80#&-%,.$8(6&8/&2(/$&,67&$"#&&(,!>%*%3#-$1")!&%'$2!,,#"$3,4#/&)9&3(%#&$",6&",2-&(-&$"#&/(82&(%*,68.&3,$$#%:

THE SOIL SCIENTIST

')##0''"+)$.23"7"+$4"407$8:%28#$#3,62+!,60!+(,)!',#-2+(.7!+,6!<$(0!$6!-$!61-#2.6-7#(*(12)%<#-06.#7**4a*.:0"7"67320,"-%*+'"%2",%".$%2"M*.23'8"A-0"76%)2,"%;"-&2),(-27#2842#28(#%).4-,1#1%5</%&-07#4-0#1*4$#1%&*0#14))$#4-0#54+(#434,*4;*(#2%#/*4-27#,7#14**(0#,-0"'%.*f'"#7,.%2"05#-7230"#7&7#<.,4"DRORE8"92"F.220'%,71"7"&%)2+"%"#724;,*,H(0#%).4-,1#5422()#14-#-7/0"M/0",.60'"7'"6)#-"ROR"7'"7"#&%)2+"%;"#*748"92"%,-0$"(%$+'1"%$372.#"67,,0$"#72"-%*+"M/0",.60'"47#5&18#-&2),(-27#"%)#/*4-27#2%#)'08"?7*;"%$"6%$0"%;",-0"ROR".2"F.220'%,7",%&'%.*"#%60'";$%6"%$372.#"67,,0$8"W*,-%)3-"4%)"#14--%2#184-.(#28(#45%&-2#%"#

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Decaying Resi

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Want to know more?

#*74".2"4%)$"'%.*1"4%)"#72"07'.*4"+0#$07'0"%$"D(.,-"6%$0"+.;M#)*,4E".2#$07'0",-0"76%)2,"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$".2"4%)$"'%.*8"92"7++.,.%2",%"2),$.02,'1"',7>.*.\0+"%$372.#"67,,0$"-%*+'"%2",%"&0',.#.+0'8"A-.'"/)(3(-27#/(72,1,0(7#")%5#5%3,-.#,-2%#'42()#7&//*,(7#4-0#,5/)%3(7#28(#0(1%5</%7,2,%-#%"#28(#1%5/%&-076#;&2#,2#4*7%#54+(7#/(72,1,0(7#*(77#(""(12,3(#;$##&$0/02,.23",-0.$"#%2,7#,"(.,-",-0",7$30,"%$372.'68

The active fraction H&",%"Lg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e$372.#"67,,0$".'"0'&0#.7**4".6&%$,72,".2"#&$%/.+.23"2.,$%3021"&-%'&-%$)'1"')*;)$1"72+".$%28"W"'%.*"(.,-"S_"%$372.#"67,,0$"#%2,7.2'"7>%),"S1KKK"&%)2+'"%;"2.,$%302"&0$"7#$08"]0&02+.23"%2",-0"$7,0"%;"+0#%6&%'.,.%21"Xg",%"LKK"&%)2+'"674">0#%60"7/7.*7>*0",%"&*72,'".2"7"407$1">),".,".'"+.;M#)*,",%"&$0+.#,",-0"+0#%6&%'.,.%2"$7,08"92"F.220'%,71"+0#%6&%'.,.%2"$7,0'"7$0",4&.#7**4"7>%),"X_8"A-.'"6072'",-7,"%20"7#$0"%;"#$%&"&*72,'"%2"7"'%.*"(.,-"S_"'%.*"%$372.#"67,,0$"674"30,"`K"&%)2+'"%;",-0.$"2.,$%302"72+"`"&%)2+'"%;",-0.$"&-%'&-%$)'";$%6"'%.*"%$372.#"67,,0$8"

8

THE SOIL SCIENTIST

The Changing Forms of Soil Organic MatterFD,<88%(%)*+G&!"#6&%(($/&,67&2#,0#/&78#5&$"#'&&&&&&&&1#.(3#&9,%$&(-&$"#&/(82&(%*,68.&3,$$#%:

ED,53'*+4)32'(%)*+G&<(82&&&&&&&&(%*,68/3/&.(6$86),22'&&&&&&&&.",6*#&(%*,68.&&&&&&&&.(39()67/&-%(3&&&&&&&&(6#&-(%3&$(&,6($"#%:&&&&&&&&;"#'&.(6/)3#&92,6$&&&&&&&&%#/87)#&,67&($"#%&(%*,68.&&&&&&&&3,$$#%5&,67&$"#6&.%#,$#&&&&&&&1'>9%(7).$/5&+,/$#/5&,67&.#22&$8//)#:&

JD,7%&3)#.+,4..8,/$'*(+G&<(3#&(-&$"#&+,/$#/&%#2#,/#7&1'&/(82&(%*,68/3/&,%#&6)$%8#6$/&$",$&& &&&&&&&&.,6&1#&)/#7&1'&92,6$/:&C%*,68/3/&%#2#,/#&($"#%&.(39()67/&$",$&,--#.$&92,6$&*%(+$":

HD,6('#%$%Q'(%)*,)4,)31'*%&,2'((.3G$A=#&,0!**+<$(1%*$1")!&%'$'12410&-($>#'12#$(,!>%*%3#-$$ $&&&&&&&,67&%#/8/$,6$&$(&-)%$"#%&.",6*#/:

&?$1-!7$2(!$#3,627>7<00"+#<(/C<#(#.)"DGH@IJKS".2",-.'"'0$.0'E8

Page 11: Organic Matter Management - conservancy.umn.edu€¦ · Organic Matter Management 4 The Soil Management Series 4 Organic Matter Management

9

e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cW**0*%&7,-.#d"#-06.#7*'"7$0";%$60+"(-02"'%60"$0'.+)0'"+0#741"72+"#72".2-.>.,"&*72,"3$%(,-8"D<00"&730'"g"72+"`";%$"6%$0".2;%$67,.%28E

Organic matter is more than fertilizere$372.#"67,,0$".'"2%,"h)',"N1"B1"i1"72+"#7$>%28"A(%"'%)$#0'"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$"(.,-"28(#745(#-&2),(-2#1%-2(-2#%)#2%24*#%).4-,1#5422()#1%-2(-2#5,.82#-%2#843(#(>&4*##0;;0#,'"%2"4%)$"#$%&'"72+"'%.*'8

92"%20"$0'07$#-",$.7*1"M0*+'",$07,0+"(.,-"72.67*"672)$0"-7+"+.;;0$02,"6.#$%%$372<.'6'"72+"02\460'",-72"M0*+'"(-0$0"3$002"672)$0"%$"6.20$7*";0$,.*.\0$'"(0$0")'0+8"A-0".6&%$,72#0"%;",-0'0"+.;;0$02#0'"7$0"2%,"(0**"',)+.0+1">),",-04"&$%>7>*4"7;;0#,"2),$.02,"#4#*.23"72+"&0','8"92"4%)$"'4',061"672)$0"674"6072"&%'.,./0"0;;0#,'"')#-"7'"$0+)#.23"'%60"+.'07'0'1"%$"2037,./0"0;;0#,'"')#-"7'".2#$07'.23"(00+"3$%(,-8"

B*72,"$0'.+)0'"7*'%"+.;;0$"3$07,*4"7'"7"'%)$#0"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$8"W>%/0@3$%)2+"3$%(,-"-7'"7"+.;;0$02,"7#,.%2".2"'%.*",-72"$%%,'1"0/02"(-02".,".'",.**0+".2,%",-0"'%.*8"W**"$%%,'"+%"2%,"7#,",-0"'7608"U%$"0576&*01",7&@$%%,0+"&*72,'"')#-"7'"7*;7*;7"#$07,0"/0$,.#7*"&%$0'".2",-0"'%.*1"(-0$07'",-0"M20*4">$72#-0+"$%%,'"%;"3$7''0'"02-72#0"'%.*"733$037,.%28

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#Your Farm!Q(6/87#%86*&$"#&1%(,7&839,.$/&(%*,68.&3,$$#%&",/&(6&/(825&8$&8/&6(&+(67#%&$",$&%24"1=#-$1")!&%'$2!,,#"$2!&!)#2#&,$2!+$>#$,5#$21(,$(%)&%.'!&,$,5%&)$+10$.,6&7(&$(&839%(0#&/(82:

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

THE SOIL SCIENTIST

Page 12: Organic Matter Management - conservancy.umn.edu€¦ · Organic Matter Management 4 The Soil Management Series 4 Organic Matter Management

WHAT DETERMINES SOIL ORGANIC MATTER LEVELS?A-0"76%)2,"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$".2"'%.*".'",-0"$0')*,"%;",(%"&$%#0''0'C",-0"7++.,.%2"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$"D$%%,'1"')$;7#0"$0'.+)01"672)$01"0,#8E1"72+",-0"*%''"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$",-$%)3-"+0#%6&%'.,.%28"U./0";7#,%$'"7;;0#,">%,-"7++.,.%2'"72+"*%''0'8

9,6,3.>.6-8"B$7#,.#0'",-7,".2#$07'0"&*72,"3$%(,-"%2"7"M0*+"D#%/0$"#$%&'1".$$.37,.%21"0,#8E"(.**".2#$07'0",-0"76%)2,"%;"$%%,'"72+"$0'.+)0"7++0+",%",-0"#'%.*"07#-"407$8"e2",-0"%,-0$"-72+1".2,02'./0",.**730".2#$07'0'",-0"*%''"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$">4"'&00+.23"+0#%6&%'.,.%28"P-.*0",.**730"&$.67$.*4">)$2'"$%&-.()#%).4-,1#5422()6#%*0()6#/)%2(12(0#%).4-,1#1%5/%&-07#14-#;(##05&%'0+",%"+0#%6&%'.,.%2".;"'67**"733$037,0'"7$0">$%:02"7&7$,8"92"7++.,.%2"2%#184-.,-.#28(#45%&-2#%"#7%,*#%).4-,1#5422()6#2,**4.(#/)412,1(7#4""(12#28(#+0&,-"%;"'%.*"%$372.#"67,,0$8"

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10

What Does Organic Matter Do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

THE SOIL SCIENTIST

&?$1-!-2((,3.!,60!!$#3,62+!>,--.#c<%.*"e$372.#"F7,,0$"#E84-.(7#=(7&*2,-.#A)%5##A.**730"72+"G.%67''"#B$%+)#,.%28d">4"]8R"#V0.#%':4"72+"%,-0$'8"DLTTgE8"

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:$2(!-.J-1#.8"U.20@,05,)$0+"'%.*'"#72"-%*+"6)#-"6%$0"%$372.#"67,,0$",-72"'72+4"'%.*'";%$",(%"$07'%2'8"U.$',1"#*74"&7$,.#*0'";%$6"0*0#,$%#-06.#7*">%2+'",-7,"-%*+"%$372.#"#%6&%)2+'8"<0#%2+1"+0#%6&%'.,.%2"%##)$'";7',0$".2"(0**@70$7,0+"'72+4"'%.*'8"W"'72+4"*%76"$7$0*4"-%*+'"6%$0",-72"X_"%$372.#"67,,0$8

5(2>,-.4"?.3-",06&0$7,)$0'"'&00+")&",-0"+03$7+7,.%2"%;"%$372.#"67,,0$8"92"7$07'"%;"-.3-"&$0#.&.,7,.%2"D%$".$$.37,.%2E",-0$0".'"6%$0"&*72,"3$%(,-"72+",-0$0;%$0"6%$0"$%%,'"72+"$0'.+)0'"02,0$.23",-0"'%.*8

*,607+,'.!'$72-2$64"Q%(1"&%%$*4@+$7.20+"7$07'"-7/0"-.3-0$"%$372.#"67,,0$"*0/0*'1">0#7)'0"*0''"%54302".'"7/7.*7>*0".2",-0"'%.*";%$"+0#%6&%'.,.%28"Q%("7/%27#4*7%#411&5&*42(#%).4-,1#5422()#2842#()%0(7#%""#8,**#2%/7#4-0#72((/#'*%&0'8

H.3.-,-2$64#!-#/)4,),(76#5&18#%"#28(#%).4-,1#5422()#2842#0,(7#4-0#,7#400(0#2%#,-0"'%.*"07#-"407$"#%60'";$%6"3$7''"$%%,'",-7,"05,02+"+00&".2,%",-0"'%.*8"92"#"%)(7276#28(#%).4-,1#5422()#1%5(7#")%5#*(43(7#2842#4)(#0)%//(0#%-#28(#')$;7#0"%;",-0"'%.*8"A-)'1";7$6*72+",-7,"(7'"%2#0"&$7.$.0"(.**"-7/0"-.3-0$"45%&-27#%"#%).4-,1#5422()#0((/#,-#28(#7%,*#284-#*4-07#2842#'()(#/)(3,%&7*$#;%$0',8"

11

THE SOIL SCIENTIST

W8--#%#6.#/&86&(%*,68.&3,$$#%&,99#,%&86&$"#&.(2(%&.",6*#/&,.%(//&,&>!"#$.#*-7$M#(($1")!&%'$3,$$#%&8/&9%(7).#7&(6&$"#&7%8#%&"822$(9/5&,67&/(3#&8/&2(/$&$(&/(82&&#%(/8(6&,67&7#9(/8$#7&86&2(+&/9($/:

How do organic matter levels change?A%">).*+"%$372.#"67,,0$"*0/0*'".2",%&'%.*1"6%$0"%$372.#"67,,0$"6)',">0"7++0+",-72".'"*%',",%"+0#%6&%'.,.%2"72+"0$%'.%28"Q.:0"7"&0$'%2",$4.23",%"*%'0"%$"37.2"'(,.826#,-1)(47,-.#%).4-,1#5422()#,7#4;%&2#184-.,-.#28(#;4*4-1(#;(2'((-#8%'#6)#-"020$34"3%0'".2"72+"-%("6)#-".'">)$20+"%;;8"W2%,-0$"(74",%",-.2:"%;"'%.*".'"*.:0"7"3.72,"(%%+"',%/08"=%)"#%2,.2)7**4"7++"%$372.#"67,,0$"D(%%+E1"72+".,">)$2'",%"$0*07'0"020$34"72+"2),$.02,'",-7,"(.**">0"

Page 14: Organic Matter Management - conservancy.umn.edu€¦ · Organic Matter Management 4 The Soil Management Series 4 Organic Matter Management

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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16 17

THE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE INFORMATION EXCHANGE

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Page 20: Organic Matter Management - conservancy.umn.edu€¦ · Organic Matter Management 4 The Soil Management Series 4 Organic Matter Management

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