1.

Describe the factors that control decomposition ?

Answer»

Decomposition is controlled by

(i) Chemical composition of detritus

  • Decomposition is faster when detritus is rich in nitrogen and water soluble substances like sugars.
  • Decomposition is slow, when detritus is rich in lignin and chitin.

(ii) Temperature and soil moisture, through their effects on the activities of microbes.

  • Warm and moist environment favour decomposition.
  • Low temperature and absence/reduced moisture levels inhibits decomposition.

(iii) Oxygen

  • Decomposition is an oxygen consuming process
  • Anaerobic condition inhibits decomposition.


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