All about the C:N ratio in the soil!

Hello, friends! Today we are going to talk about one of the most important characteristics of our soil health – the ratio of organic carbon (C) to organic nitrogen.

We have already told you that organic carbon (C) is the energy for microbes in the soil.

If the C:N ratio is high (e.g. 60:1), it means that the soil has a lot of energy for microorganisms, but the quality or nutritional value of that food is low.

The higher the initial C:N ratio, the longer it takes to decompose residues.

As a reminder, organic nitrogen is used by microbes to rapidly decompose nutritious residues and create proteins that are vital for their growth and reproduction.

In an ideal world, healthy soil has a C:N ratio between 10:1 and 12:1, which means that the microbial world is balanced and that you have optimal soil health.

How to deal with high soil C:N ratios?

Adding organic materials such as manure or crop residues with a low C:N ratio can help speed up decomposition and enrich the soil with nutrients.

Worth knowing:

Soybeans: The C:N ratio is about 20:1.

Corn: Although corn stalks have a high ratio (about 60:1), once the stalks become part of the organic matter, microbes break them down to a ratio of 10:1.

Legumes: Green plants and young stems usually have a ratio of about 20:1 or lower.

Follow the link to find useful soil management tips depending on the C:N ratio.