Soil Organic Matter : It is also called as humus. It is essential for soil fertility. The decaying organic material of dead organisms is called as humus. It is formed by degradation of remnants of plants and animals, and excreta of animals. Earthworms, microorganisms like bacteria & fungi utilize the humus as food. Formation of humus is called as humification and conversion of humus into mineral salts is called as mineralization. The Humus is of two types :
- Mor humus : It is raw humus. It has less mineral salts & microorganism or animals are almost absent.
- Mull humus : It is a granular & mature humus. It harbors microorganisms & earthworm abundantly.
