The Influence of Exogenic Organic Matter on Selected Chemical And Physicochemical Properties of Soil

Abstract

Organic matter plays an important role in stability and fluxes of trace greenhouse gases between land surface and atmosphere. A steady decline of soil organic matter in Poland is observed, therefore the pending problem and new challenge is to increase its level, particularly in sandy soils. In the last decades a growing interest in various sources of organic matter, for example brown coal, its derivatives and composts – has been observed. Organic matter applied in the form of the brown coal (Rekulter preparation), brown coal, peat, and farmyard manure resulted in changes of selected chemical and physicochemical properties of the soil. One year after application of organic matter, the highest increase in soil reaction pH was found in the case of Rekulter, and the same behaviour was observed seven years after its application. Remarkable influence on sorption properties of soil was in the case of brown coal and brown coal preparation. Exogenic organic matter increased the TOC and the total N, occurring mainly in the case of the Rekulter. The highest value of the TOC to Nt ratio equalling 20 obtained for the soil sample with the Rekulter was due to the highest carbon content in this object. It was found that after introduction of this organic matter into the soil, the value of the C:N ratio increased as compared to control soil ones.