Soils

What is soil organic matter?

Soil organic matter is the fraction of the soil composed of anything that once lived. It includes plant and animal remains in various states of decomposition, cells and tissues of soil organisms, and substances from plant roots and soil microbes. Well- decomposed organic matter forms humus, a dark brown, porous, spongy materia that has a pleasant, earthy smell. Mississippi soils generally are less than 2 percent organic matter. (from National Soil Survey Center et al.)