Factor affecting decomposition

May 13, 2024 | by Bloom Code Studio

Quality of litter: The rate of decomposition depends upon the structural and chemical characteristics of litter. If lignin is present in the litter, then the decomposition rate is slower.
Temperature: The rate of decomposition is high in mesophilic ranges. At higher temperatures, very little decomposition occurs because only a few decomposers can grow in the thermophilic range.
Moister: Sufficient moisture required for microbial activity and decomposition of organic matter.
Aeration: Most decomposers are aerobic, so oxygen becomes an essential element in the decomposition process. In soil, oxygen is found in the pores of the soil.
Soil p^H: Soil organisms can grow in acidic (fungi), neutral (bacteria), and slightly alkaline (actinomycetes) p^H. rate of decomposition is high in neutral to slightly alkaline soil.
Inorganic chemicals: Rate of decomposition affected by the chemical quality of detritus. A higher number of inorganic minerals present in dead material can slow down the rate of decomposition.

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