Question

___ soil reduces the rate of decomposition.

• A. Alkaline
• B. Acidic
• C. Neutral
• D. Slightly alkaline

Answer 1

The correct option is B Acidic

Acidic soil, slows the pace of decomposition as it reduces the growth of detritivores and also inhibits the activity of decomposition by soil microbes. On the other hand, detritivores are found in abundance in neutral and slightly alkaline soils, while decomposing microbes are rich in neutral and slightly acidic soils. Nevertheless the microbes can only act on decaying matter broken down by the detritivores. Therefore the overall rate of decomposition of organic matter will be very slow in acidic soils.