1. Soil Science & Management, 4E
Chapter 6
Organic Matter
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

2. Soil Science & Management, 4E
Objectives
Explain what organic matter is and how it forms
Describe what organic matter does in the soil
List several ways to maintain soil organic matter
Discuss the problem of nitrogen tie-up
Define organic soil, listing uses and problems
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

3. Soil Science & Management, 4E
Terms to Know
Amino acid
Carbon-nitrogen ratio
Cellulose
Colloids
Compost
Cover crop
Fibric
Green manure
Hemic
Hemicellulose
Humification
Humus
Labile
Lignin
Muck
Nitrogen depression period
Organic matter
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

4. Soil Science & Management, 4E
Terms to Know
Organic soils
Peat
Recalcitrant
Proteins
Sapric
Starch
Subsidence
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

5. The Nature of Organic Matter
Chemical makeup of organic matter
Figure 6-2
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

6. Soil Science & Management, 4E
The Process of Decay
Factors affecting organic matter
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

7. Functions of Organic Matter
Nutrient and water storage
Nutrient availability
Soil aggregation
Preventing erosion
Undesirable effects
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

8. Maintaining Soil Matter
Conservation tillage
Crop residues
Green manuring and cover cropping
Crop rotation
Organic matter additions
Mulches
Increasing soil water
Maximum cropping
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

9. Nitrogen Tie-up and Composting
Figure 6-7
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

10. Nitrogen Tie-up and Composting
Figure 6-8
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

11. Nitrogen Tie-up and Composting
Figure 6-9
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

12. Soil Science & Management, 4E
Organic Soils
Horticultural peat
Figure 6-11
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

13. Organic Matter and Global Climate
Soil organic matter affects ecosystems, growers, and global climate
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Soil Science & Management, 4E

14. Soil Science & Management, 4E
Summary
Amount of organic matter depends on:
Vegetation
Climate
Soil texture
Soil drainage
Tillage
Improves soil
Preserve organic matter
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Soil Science & Management, 4E