How do beneficial microorganisms build soil structure?
Along with the fungi, bacteria are important decomposers in the ecosystem; they digest the organic matter in the soils into smaller nutrient components, which are then available to the plants. Bacteria produce enzymes that allow them to digest the different forms of organic matter compounds. The humic compounds and organic glues (extracellular polysaccharides), secreted by the microorganisms bind soil particles together into aggregates and in this way increase the soil porosity and soil structure. Soils with good structure and porosity will provide outstanding conditions for plant growth. Plants use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, but they also use oxygen for respiration, which is the process whereby plants break down stored sugars and starches to use as the energy for growth. Plants get their oxygen by absorbing it in the root zone. Soils that have a poor soil structure will not have enough oxygen to successfully carry out respiration activities and do their best. Soils with poor s
