Soil Fertility and Nutrient management (1+1)

Rate of decomposition of organic compounds

• Rate of decomposition varies with the types of organic compounds, some may undergo decomposition very fast and others may very slow.
• The following is the decreasing order of rate decomposition.
  Starch , sugars and simple proteins > Crude proteins> Hemi cellulose > Cellulose > Lignin > fat > Fatty compounds and waxes etc.(Most resistant)
• When fresh organic manures are added to soil 60% of it decomposed within the first 6 months, 20% in the next 3-4 years and remaining 20% decomposed beyond 4 years. This results in accumulation of lignins, fats and waxes in large quantities.