What is Soil Organic Matter

Soil organic matter is an important component of the solid phase part of the soil, although the content of soil organic matter only accounts for a small part of the total soil, but it has a great impact on soil fertility and soil arable properties. Data show that, within a certain range, the content of organic matter and soil fertility level is positively correlated.
 
The content of soil organic matter varies greatly in different soils, with high content of up to 20% or 30% or more, and low content of less than 1%. And the soil organic matter suitable for vegetable cultivation should be kept above 20%. The data provided by Shouguang Soil and Fertilizer Testing and Research Center shows that greenhouse soils with organic matter content above 20g/kg tend to show good permeability and air permeability, strong fertilizer supply, and are not prone to sloughing as well as salinization. Most of the greenhouse soil generally does not reach this standard of 20g/kg, in such soil planting vegetables will be at risk of salinization if a large amount of fertilizer is applied continuously.
 
To improve soil organic matter, the usual way is to increase the input of manure, such as fresh chicken manure, pig manure, duck manure, as well as rice husk manure, straw and so on. In recent years, there are more commercial organic fertilizers on the market, these animal manure, municipal waste, dead leaves and other raw materials for fermentation and maturation, processing and production of organic fertilizer is also a source of improving the organic matter of the soil of the greenhouse.
 
In short, soil organic matter is the lubricant, high organic matter content of the soil, heat, water, gas and a variety of nutrient metabolism coordinated fast, very favorable to vegetable growth.