By David Moseley, DeWitt, Noah, Harrison, Stephen A., Padgett, Guy B., Vieira, Leandro, Castro, Saulo, Conger, Stacia
LSU AgCenter
Soil organic matter improves soil chemical properties, which includes the increase of nutrient status, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and anion exchange capacity. Soil organic matter is also known for the slow release of nutrients to the plants, protects nutrients in available forms to the plants, and reduces nutrient leaching.