Organic matter is fundamental for the health of a soil’s biology, which affects the soil’s structure and nutrient availability. Organic matter helps soils receive and store more water, turning them essentially into free water storage tanks so that crops can survive temporary droughts.
Estimated Nitrogen Release (ENR)
How best to determine if your soil will be able to meet the nitrogen needs of your crops throughout the entire growing season? Organic matter level and decomposition rate combined with soil texture and climate can be used to estimate available nitrogen during a season.
Test Your Soil to Understand and Improve It
Each soil is unique, just as each of us is unique. To improve a soil, we need to first understand it, then add fertilizers that address its weaknesses and maintain its strengths. There is no fertilizer good for all soils (other than compost the soil produced itself) just as there is no medicine good for all people.