Why is it useful to monitor active carbon in soil?

The total organics in the soilis a popular and frequently tested indicator. Much of it is in a state of deep reserve, which is slowly influenced by our Polish practices. We define it as”sustainable organics”, better known ashummus. It slowly enters the nutrient cycle and makes a relatively small contribution to the nutrition of our crops.

Major Categories of General Soil Organics (Source: Soil Science Society of America)

A smaller proportion of the total soil organics is susceptible to rapid chemical changes and is affects particularly stronglyof our technology. This is the so-called. ”active organics“, which is a preferred source of nutrition for decomposing microorganisms (so-called “reductants”).

Various sources determine its share of the total organics in the amount of 5 to 20%. Depending on the applied agrotechnics, it can reach up to 30-50%.

Why is it useful to monitor activated carbon (C act.) in soil?

Through the indicator”activated carbon, mg/kg” we estimate the amount of active organics in the soil. It is very sensitive to changes in the soil environment and, accordingly, to our technology. We rely on it as quick evaluation indicatorof the dynamics of soil health. We can take it out annually to see in which direction we are moving.

Unlike activated carbon, the indicator familiar to us”organic matter content“changes slowly over the years. Judging only by it, it is good to be consistent in action and patiently wait a few years to report changes.

By the indicator “active carbon” we estimate that smaller part of the total organic matter that easily enters the circulation of substances in the soil.

We earn from it in 3Directions:

✅ for plants: income from macro and microelements in digestible forms. They are like a natural complex fertilizer and direct food for our crops.

✅ for soil organisms: income from nutritional elements in mineral and simpler organic forms. Their diversity and abundance maintain the natural balance between beneficial and harmful groups.

✅ for soil aggregates: the presence of more organics in the semi-decomposed state, together with the organic products released by microorganisms, help bind soil particles to micro- and medium-sized aggregates.

The active organics in the soil: how else can we evaluate it?

Chemically active in nature, the category of active organicsin the soil is most important for the maintenance of microbial life in the soil. It's in our best interest to have more of her.

We can evaluate it comprehensively by the following three indicators, which are closely related to each other:

🔴 Soil Respiration;

🔴 Protein index;

🔴 Active carbon content.

With what practices can we increase the content of activated carbon in the soil?

The beneficial influence of organic materials on the soil is well known. One of the traditional practices, manure application, leads to the simultaneous improvement of all three indicated indicators.

Other ways to increase activated carbonin the soil are:

✅ cultivation of crops with a deep and large in volume root system;

✅ maintaining the field with crops in active vegetation for as long as possible;

✅ applying a larger amount of fresh plant residues.

In case you have any questions — do not hesitate to contact our agronomists!