What is the function of organic material in the soil?
Organic material has a number of important functions in the soil: • It is a primary source of nutrients for the plants • It is a primary nutrient for the soil micro and macro-organisms • It is the parent source for humus • It helps to hold moisture and nutrients within the soil aggregates and throughout the soil as a whole • It helps the soil maintain a healthy environment for both plants and soil organisms • It helps correct excesses of both soil alkalinity and soil acidity • It helps to prevent erosion •
