Bacillus mycoides y ácidos húmicos como bioestimulantes de fríjol caupí bajo estrés por salinidad

Los bioestimulantes tienen gran potencial en la agricultura, no solo por aumentar el crecimiento de las plantas, sino porque también promueven la tolerancia frente a diferentes tipos de estrés. En este estudio, se evaluó el efecto de dos bioestimulantes Bacillus mycoides, inmovilizado en perlas de alginato y ácidos húmicos (AH), en plantas de fríjol caupí, cultivadas en un suelo salino, bajo los siguientes tratamientos: 1) solución de AH, mediante aspersión foliar, 2) suspensión de B. mycoides, inmovilizado en perlas aplicado en la rizósfera y 3) solución de AH + suspensión de B. mycoides inmovilizado; el tratamiento control fueron plantas sin aplicación de bioestimulantes. Se determinó el contenido hídrico relativo, el índice de contenido de clorofila, además del contenido de prolina y polifenoles, como indicadores de tolerancia al estrés. El tratamiento 3 generó un aumento de 11,27 % en el contenido hídrico relativo, mientras que con el tratamiento 2, se observó un incremento significativo del 48,33 %, en el índice de contenido de clorofila y del 49,07 %, en el contenido de prolina, lo cual, se sugiere la estimulación de mecanismos de tolerancia frente al estrés salino. La activación de estos mecanismos, observada con tratamientos que incluyen la inmovilización de B. mycoides, sugiere que esta forma de aplicación de la bacteria puede contribuir a mejorar las condiciones de crecimiento de plantas de fríjol caupí sometidas a estrés salino y puede ser probada en otras plantas de interés agrícola, en regiones afectadas por la salinidad.

Biostimulants have great potential in agriculture enhancing plant growth as well as stimulating tolerance to different types of stress. In this study, the effect of two biostimulants, Bacillus mycoides immobilized in alginate beads and humic acids (HA), was evaluated in cowpea plants grown in saline soil, following treatments were evaluated: 1) HA solution applied through foliar spray, 2) suspension of immobilized B. mycoides in beads applied around in the rhizosphere and 3) HA solution + immobilized B. mycoides suspension. Plants without biostimulant application were considered as control treatment. Relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content index (CCI), proline, and polyphenol content were determined as indicators of stress tolerance mechanisms expression. Treatment 3 generated an increase of 11.27 % in RWC, while with treatment 2 a significant increase of 48.33 % in CCI and 49.07 % in proline content was observed; these results suggest the stimulation of tolerance mechanisms against salt stress. Effects exhibited after the treatments with immobilized B. mycoides suggest that this way of application of the bacteria can contribute to improving the growth and adaption of cowpea plants subjected to salt stress and can be tested in other plants of agricultural interest over saline stress affection.

Investigation of morphological, phytochemical, and enzymatic characteristics of Anethum graveolens L. using selenium in combination with humic acid and fulvic acid

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of selenium trace element supplemented with fulvic acids andhumic acids on some trait of Anethum graveolens L. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomizedblock design with three levels of fulvic acids and humic acids (0, 15, and 50 mmol/l) and selenium application infive levels (0, 6, 8, 12, and 16 mg/l) with three replications in the greenhouse at Tehran municipality. The resultsof this experiment showed that the effect of selenium at different acids on morphological traits was significant.So that the dry weight of shoot and root, plant height, ion leakage, chlorophyll, and antioxidant enzymes wereaffected by increasing Se, humic and fulvic acids levels. Results indicated that selenium along with acidsincreased some major oil components, including ɑ-Pinene, β-Myrcene, ɑ-Phellandrene, and Carvone.

Necessity of purification during bacterial DNA extraction with environmental soils

Complexity and heterogeneity of soil samples have often implied the inclusion of purification steps in conventional DNA extraction for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Unfortunately the purification steps are also time and labor intensive. Therefore the necessity of DNA purification was re-visited and investigated for a variety of environmental soil samples that contained various amounts of PCR inhibitors. Bead beating and centrifugation was used as the baseline (without purification) method for DNA extraction. Its performance was compared with that of conventional DNA extraction kit (with purification). The necessity criteria for DNA purification were established with environmental soil samples. Using lysis conditions at 3000 rpm for 3 minutes with 0.1 mm glass beads, centrifugation time of 10 minutes and 1:10 dilution ratio, the baseline method outperformed conventional DNA extraction on cell seeded sand samples. Further investigation with PCR inhibitors (i.e., humic acids, clay, and magnesium [Mg]) showed that sand samples containing less than 10 μg/g humic acids and 70% clay may not require purifications. Interestingly, the inhibition pattern of Mg ion was different from other inhibitors due to the complexation interaction of Mg ion with DNA fragments. It was concluded that DNA extraction method without purification is suitable for soil samples that have less than 10 μg/g of humic acids, less than 70% clay content and less than 0.01% Mg ion content.

Transformações químicas dos ácidos húmicos durante o processo de vermicompostagem de resíduos orgânicos / Chemical changes of humic acid during vermicomposting process of organic residues

RESUMO A produção de resíduos orgânicos durante os processos agroindustriais é um problema tanto ambiental quanto econômico devido às características químicas desses resíduos. Geralmente, resíduos orgânicos estabilizados servem como condicionadores de solos. Esses resíduos podem afetar tanto na composição química quanto nas características das cargas trocáveis dos solos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a formação de substâncias húmicas (SH) durante a vermicompostagem em diferentes resíduos agroindustriais, bem como caracterizar a composição química e molecular. Assim, diferentes resíduos - esterco bovino (EB), esterco ovino (EO), restos de alimentos de restaurantes (RA), lodo de arroz parboilizado (LP), restos de frutas e vegetais (RF) - foram submetidos à vermicompostagem. Amostras desses materiais foram secas, trituradas e caracterizadas quimicamente quanto a pH, carbono (C) orgânico, N total, Ca, Mg, K, P, relação C/N, e condutividade elétrica (CE) antes, durante e depois do processo de vermicompostagem. Além disso, foi analisado o fracionamento da matéria orgânica como as SH, análise elementar e espectroscopia de infravermelho. De acordo com o processo de vermicompostagem dos resíduos agroindustriais, o carbono orgânico total (COT) e os ácidos fúlvicos (AF) foram reduzidos; contudo, os ácidos húmicos (AH) aumentaram proporcionalmente. Dentre os vermicompostos estudados diferiram quanto à proporção final de SH formadas decrescendo na sequência: EB>RF>EO>RA>LP. Isso demonstra uma estabilização dos compostos orgânicos por meio da vermicompostagem, podendo, consequentemente, ser utilizados com uma maior segurança na agricultura.

ABSTRACT The production of organic waste during the agro-industrial processes is a problem for both environmental and economical issues due to the chemical characteristics of these wastes. Generally, stabilized organic residues are used as soil conditioners. These residues can affect both the chemical composition and the characteristics of exchangeable charges of the soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the formation of humic substances during the vermicomposting of different agro-industrial solid residues, as well as characterize the chemical and molecular composition. So, different residues (bovine manure (EB), sheep manure (EO); food waste from restaurants (RA); mud of parboiled rice (LP); waste of fruits and vegetables (RF)) were subjected to vermicomposted. Samples of these materials were dried, smashed and chemically characterized as pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, Ca, Mg, K, P, C/N ratio, and electrical conductivity (EC) before, during and after the vermicomposting process. In addition, it was analyzed the fractionation of organic matter such as humic substances, elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. According to the vermicomposting process of agro-industrial wastes, the total organic carbon and fulvic acids were reduced; however, humic acids increased proportionately. Among the studied vermicomposts, they differ in the final ratio of humic substances formed decreasing following: EB>RF>AND>RA>LP. This demonstrates a stabilization of organic compounds through the vermicompost process, and therefore can be used with greater safety in agriculture.

An Improved Protocol for Extraction of Metagenomic DNA from High Humus, Alkaline and Saline Soil of Chinampa for T-RFLP Fingerprinting Analysis.

Aims: The principle aim of this study was to obtain high quality metagenomic DNA from the high humus-containing, alkaline soils of the chinampas, an artificial sustainable agroecosystem. Study Design: Different protocols reported previously were tested and were modified to extract the metagenomic DNA. Quality of the DNA samples was evaluated by amplification of 16S rRNA gene with PCR and T-RFLP (Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis. Place and Duration of Study: This study was performed in Department of Microbiology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional during 2011-2012. Methodology: Four soil samples were collected from two chinampas at the depth of 0-30 cm and 30-60cm. A protocol started with repeated prewashing before the direct cell lysis with lysozyme followed by SDS treatments, frozen and melting cycling was developed which combined the DNA isolation and purification procedures. The 16SrRNA genes were amplified from the extracted metagenomic DNAs and were used for T-RFLP fingerprinting analysis. Results: The 16SrRNA genes were amplified from all the DNA extracts corresponding to the four soil samples and were successfully used in the T-RFLP analysis, which generated 25 to 109T-RFs in the four soil samples digested separately with the restriction endonucleases HaeIII, HhaI and MspI. Conclusion: The protocol developed in the present study could generate high molecular weight and high quality metagenomic DNA from soils with high content of humic materials, for which the other reported protocols were not functioned. This soil harboured very diverse and unique bacterial communities belonging to at least nine phyla that might contribute to the high soil fertility.

Composición molecular de ácidos húmicos evaluada mediante pirólisis - cromatografía de gases - espectrometría de masas e hidrólisis térmica asistida y metilación en suelos altoandinos de Colombia / Molecular composition of humic acids evaluated by pyrolysis - gas chromatography - mass spectrometry and thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation in high Colombian Andean soils / Composição molecular de ácidos húmicos avaliada mediante pirólise - cromatografia de gases - massas e hidrólise térmica assistida e metilação, em solos altoandinos em Colômbia

Se determinó la composición molecular de ácidos húmicos (AH), extraídos del horizonte 'A' de suelos altoandinos de Colombia dedicados a tres usos: bosque primario, cultivos y praderas. Los AH se obtuvieron mediante extracción secuencial de la materia orgánica humificada (MOH) con soluciones de tetraborato, pirofosfato e hidróxido de sodio (0,1N), y fueron purificados mediante diferentes procesos analíticos. Su composición molecular se determinó a través de Py-GC/MS y THMA. Los diferentes productos de la pirólisis se clasificaron atendiendo a la familia química a la que pertenecen; prevalecieron los ácidos grasos (FA) como el producto más abundante en los AH de todos los usos, mientras que los fenoles, esteroles, S-compuestos y terpenos se encontraron en menor abundancia. Se presentaron diferencias en los porcentajes de abundancia relativa de los grupos identificados, demostrando así que el cambio de uso de suelo influye en sus propiedades físicas, químicas y biológicas, por lo que se perciben diferentes grados de transformación que afectan la composición de los AH y su reactividad en el suelo.

It was determined the molecular composition of humic acids (HA) extracted from 'A' horizon in Colombian high Andean soils dedicated to three uses: primary forest, croplands and pastures. The AH were obtained by sequential extraction of humified organic matter (HOM) with tetraborate, pyrophosphate and sodium hydroxide (0.1N) solutions; HA were purified through various analytical processes. Its chemical composition was determined by Py-GC/MS and THMA. Different pyrolysis products were classified in response to the chemical family to which they belong, prevailed fatty acids (FA) as the most abundant in all AH, while phenols, sterols, terpenes and S-compounds were found in lower abundance. There were differences in the percentages of relative abundance of the identified groups, showing that the land use change influences the physical, chemical, and biological propertiers of soils that are perceived at different levels of transformation, affecting the HA composition and its reactivity in the soil.

Foi determinada a composição molecular de ácidos húmicos (AH), extraídos do horizonte 'A' dos solos altoandinos, Colômbia, surgiro a três usos: floresta primária, cultivo e pastagem. Os AH se obtiveram através de extração sequencial da Matéria Orgânica Humificada (MOH) com soluções de tetraborato, pirofosfato e hidróxido de sódio (0,1N), e foram purificados por diversos processos analíticos. A sua composição química foi determinada por Py-GC/MS e THMA. Os diferentes produtos da pirolise foram classificados atendendo à família química à que pertencem, prevaleceram os ácidos gordurosos (FA) como o produto mais abundante em todos os AH, enquanto os fenóis, esteróis, S-compostos e terpenos foram encontrados em menor abundância. Surgiram diferenças nas percentagens da abundância relativa dos grupos identificados, mostrando que a mudança de uso de solo influencia nas propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas do solo podendo ser perceptíveis diferentes graus de transformação, que afetam a composição dos AH e sua reatividade no solo.

Complexação de íons de metais por matéria orgânica dissolvida: modelagem e aplicação em sistemas reais

Metal ions are known by their physiological and industrial importance as well as by their environmental risk aspects. To elucidate the behavior of these elements in superficial water bodies, it is necessary to understand the various occurring interactions, mainly those related to the chemical speciation. One of the most important processes that metal species undergo in natural aquatic bodies is their interaction with dissolved organic matter (DOM), which can happen through adsorption, ionic exchange and complexation. In this work, laboratory experiments with Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions and commercial humic acid were made under various conditions (ionic strength and buffering) to test the van den Berg and Kramer complexation model. After the simulation, the model was used to determine the Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) complexation capacity of natural waters from three important rivers in the state of Maranhao, Brazil (Itapecuru, Bacanga and Pericuma rivers). The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration was used to express the DOM concentration. The results confirmed that there is a strong interaction between the DOM and metal ions, and that the van den Berg and Kramer model (with one coordination site) is suitable for estimating the complexation constant (K) and the ligand site concentration (Lt). The simulated water samples used in the laboratory showed the complexation order: Cu(II) > Cd(II) > Pb(II); and the complexation capacity was directly proportional to the humic acid concentration. We believe that the smaller Cu(II) ionic radius yields a stronger affinity with the DOM. In the experiments with natural waters, the river with more DOC (Bacanga river) showed better complexation capacity; however, the order was Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Cd(II) probably because of the presence of appreciable concentrations of Cu(II) in natural waters.

Os íons de metais pesados são conhecidos tanto pela sua importância fisiológica e industrial, bem como pelo risco ambiental e à saúde humana. Para elucidar o comportamento dessas espécies nos corpos hídricos, os quais recebem grande parte da descarga de metais, seja de origem antrópica ou por fontes naturais, é necessário entender as interações que elas apresentam com o meio, principalmente a especiação química. Um dos mais importantes processos pelos quais passam as espécies metálicas em corpos aquáticos naturais é a interação com a matéria orgânica dissolvida (MOD), que pode ser por adsorção, reações de troca iônica ou por complexação. Neste trabalho foram realizados vários experimentos com o objetivo de descrever o comportamento da complexação de três importantes cátions Cu(II), Cd(II) e Pb(II) com a matéria orgânica (ácido húmico comercial), sob condições diversas de força iônica em meio tamponado. Os resultados foram avaliados de acordo com o modelo de van den Berg e Kramer para a complexação de metais. O modelo foi aplicado na determinação da capacidade de complexação dos íons em amostras reais, oriundas de três rios maranhenses que integram a Amazônia legal: Itapecuru, Bacanga e Pericumã. Nas águas dos rios utilizou-se o parâmetro carbono orgânico dissolvido (COD) para expressar a MOD. Os resultados confirmaram forte interação entre a MOD e íons de metais pesados e que o modelo de van den Berg e Kramer é satisfatório para se estimar a constante de complexação (K) e a concentração de sítios de complexação (Lt). Nas amostras simuladas em laboratório a ordem de complexação dos metais foi Cu(II) > Cd(II) > Pb(II) e a capacidade de complexação mostrou ser linear em função da concentração de ácido húmico comercial. Acredita-se que por ter menor raio iônico, o íon Cu(II) possui maior afinidade com os sítios de complexação. Nas amostras retiradas dos corpos aquáticos, observou-se que o rio com maior concentração de COD (rio Bacanga) apresentou maior capacidade de complexação; entretanto, a ordem foi Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Cd(II) provavelmente devido à presença de íons Cu(II) em maior quantidade nas águas dos rios.

Comportamiento sstructural de los ácidos húmico obtenidos de un suelo andisol del departamento del cauca / Structral behaviiour of humic acids from cauca departament andisol soil / Comportamento ettrutural dos ácdos fúmicos obtidos de um solo andisol do deparrtamento do cauca

Las sustancias húmicas del suelo constan de una mezcla heterogénea de compuestos, donde cada fracción (ácidos húmicos, ácidos fúlvicos y huminas) está constituida por moléculas de tamaños diferentes, y su estructura depende considerablemente de los materiales orgánicos presentes en el suelo, como de las diferentes condiciones ambientales. Este estudio, empleó técnicas de espectroscopía ultravioleta - visible (relación E4/E6), infrarroja con transformada de Fourier y resonancia magnética nuclear 13C (RMN) para identificar la estructura química de una muestra de ácidos húmicos (AH) provenientes de un suelo agrícola del departamento del Cauca, y los cambios que dicha estructura presenta en diferentes medios de reacción como en anhídrido acético y alcohol absoluto. Los AH se obtuvieron a partir de la materia orgánica del suelo, mediante una separación granulométrica del suelo y una extracción sucesiva empleando tres soluciones básicas: tetraborato de sodio (0,05M), pirofosfato de sodio (0,05M) e hidróxido de sodio (0,1M), purificándolos a través de tratamientos ácidos HCl-HF 1%, centrifugación de alta velocidad y diálisis. La relación E4/E6 mostró cambios en el grado de condensación de los AH en los diferentes medios de reacción, corroborándose dichos cambios por el aparecimiento de nuevas bandas o disminución y aumento de otras en los espectros infrarrojos, y por los cambios apreciables en las bandas y distribución de la intensidad en las diferentes regiones de los espectros de resonancia magnética nuclear 13C . Esta investigación muestra cambios químicos y estructurales de los ácidos húmicos extraídos de un suelo agrícola, que concuerdan con diferentes investigaciones efectuadas en este campo.

Humic substances are a heterogeneous mixture of chemical compounds, where each fraction (humic acids, fulvic acids and humin) is constituted by different size molecules. Their structure depends on soil type and environmental conditions. In this study different spectroscopic techniques such as: ultraviolet-visible (ratio E4/E6), infrared Fourier transform (IFT) and solid - state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) have been used to identify the humic acids (HA) chemical structure, as well as the structural changes taking place in acetic anhydride and absolute ethanol. HA was extracted from organic matter of an Andisol soil in Cauca Department , Colombia , using three basic solutions: Na 2 B 4 O 7 .10H 2 O (0,05M), Na 2 P 2 O 7 .10H 2 O (0,05M) and NaOH (0,1M). Humic acids were purified by acid treatment, HCl - HF 1%, high speed centrifugation and dialysis. The ratio E4/E6 revealed changes on humic acids condensation degree in different chemical environment. These changes were documented by the appearance of new bands and also as changes in relative signal intensity distribution of existing bands in the infrared spectra. Differences in relative intensity distribution of the solid state 13C MAS NMR resonance bands were noticed. The present work reveals chemical and structural changes of HA obtained from an agricultural soil, and this study is concordant respect to other studies made in this field.

As sustâncias fúmicas do solo constam de uma mistura heterogênea de compostos, onde cada um deles (ácidos fúmicos, ácidos fúlvicos e húminas) está constituído por moléculas de diferentes tamanhos, e a sua estrutura depende consideravelmente dos materiais orgânicos presentes no solo, assim como das diferentes condições ambientais. Para esta pesquisa utilizou-se técnicas de espectroscopia ultravioleta - visível (relação E4/E6), infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (ITF) e ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) para identificar a estrutura química de uma mostra de ácidos fúmicos (AF) proveniente de um solo agrícola do Departamento do Cauca, e as mudanças que a estrutura apresenta nos diferentes meios de reação, anidrido acético e álcool absoluto, entre outros. Os ácidos fúmicos obtiveram-se a partir da matéria orgânica do solo, mediante separações granulométricas e extração sucessiva usando três soluções básicas: tetraborato de sódio (0,05M), pirofosfato de sódio (0,05M) e hidróxido de sódio (0,1M), purificando-os através de tratamentos ácidos HCI-HF 1%, centrifugação em alta velocidade e diálise. A relação m E4/E6 mostrou câmbios no grau de condensação dos AF nos diferentes meios de reação corroborando-se tais mudanças pelo aparecimento de novas bandas ou diminuição e aumento de outras nos espectros de infravermelho, e pelas mudanças apreciáveis nas sinais e distribuição da intensidade nas diferentes regiões dos espectros de ressonância magnética nuclear. Observaram-se mudanças químicas e estruturais dos ácidos fúmicos extraídos de um solo agrícola, que concordam com diferentes pesquisas realizadas neste tema.

Efecto del uso la cobertura del suelo sobre e perfil de polidispersidad de áácidos húmicos extraídos de un andisol del departamento de caldas, Colombia / Effectof the usee and the cover of the soil on the profile of polydispersity of humic acids extracted of an andisol from the department of caldas,Colombia

Con el objeto de conocer el posible efecto del uso y la cobertura del suelo, sobre el perfil de polidispersidadde los ácidos húmicos, se analizaron los horizontes A de tres muestras de suelo de un andisol (Melanudands) del departamento de Caldas, Colombia, con diferentes condiciones de manejo y cobertura: bajo bosque de guadua, bajo café con sombrío de guamo y bajo café de libre exposición. Para ello, en la fracción inferior a 50 µm, se realizó la extracción secuencial de las sustancias húmicas con soluciones de tetraborato (Na2B4O7 0,05 M), pirofosfato (Na4P2O7 0,025 M) e hidróxido de sodio (NaOH 0,1M) y la separación y purificación de los respectivos ácidos húmicos. Para obtener los perfiles se acoplaron las técnicas de separación de cromatografía de exclusión por tamaño utilizando Sephadex G-75 y ultracentrifugación por gradiente de densidad con sacarosa y se elaboraron gráficas de distribución por tamaño (absorbancia (450 nm) vs. volumen eluido). Se encontró que los ácidos húmicos extraídos con hidróxido de sodio presentaron en todas las muestras menor polidispersidad, mayor tamaño, peso y aromaticidad evaluada por la relación E4/E6. Los resultados no mostraron, en general, efecto drástico del uso y la cobertura del suelo, sobre el perfil de polidispersidad y el coeficiente de sedimentación de los ácidos húmicos, lo cual está relacionado con el tamaño, peso y densidad molecular de los mismos. Sin embargo, se encontró que los ácidos húmicos de las muestras de suelo bajo café con sombrío de guamo y café de libre exposición son muy similares entre sí y diferentes de la muestra bajo bosque de guadua, lo que se asoció con un inicio del efecto del uso y la cobertura del suelo sobre el tamaño de los ácidos húmicos del suelo; se presume que a largo término este efecto podría acentuarse y eventualmente ser considerado como indicador de degradación del componente orgánico del suelo.

In order to know the possible effect of the use and the cover of soil, on the polydispersity profile of humic acids were analyzed the A horizon of three samples of an andisol (Melanudand) from the Department of Caldas, Colombia, that have presented different management and coverland as soils under forest of bamboo, coffee with somber of guamo and under free exposition coffee. For this in the lower fraction to 50 µm, the sequential extraction of humic substances was carried out with solutions of sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7 0.05 M), sodium pyrophosphate (Na4P2O7 0.025 M) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH 0.1M) and the later separation and purification of the respective humic acids. To obtain the polydispersity profiles was applied the exclusion chromatography separation by size technique utilizing Sephadex G-75 and ultracentrifugation by gradient of density with sucrose and they devised graphics of distribution by size (absorbance (450 nm) vs. volume eluted). It was found that the humic acids extracted with sodium hydroxide presented smaller polydispersity, bigger size and molecular weight, as well as, degree of aromatic condensation. The results did not show drastic effect of the use and the coverland , on the polidispersity profile and the coefficient of sedimentation of the humic acids, which is related to the size, weight and molecular density of the same ones. Nevertheless, it was found that the húmic acids of the samples of soil under coffee with somber of guamo and free exposition coffee are very similar among it and different from the sample under forest of bamboo. This fact was associated with a beginning of the effect of the use and the cover of the soil on the size of the humic acids. It presumed that in the long term the effect is accentuated and eventually could be considered as indicator of degradation of the organic component of the soil.