From lifelong farmers to backyard gardeners, most plant-lovers know that adding organic matter to a field, vegetable plot or flowerpot increases the soil’s moisture. Now, for the first time, Northwestern University scientists have uncovered the molecular mechanisms that enable organic matter to boost soil’s ability to retain water—even in desert-like conditions. The study is published in the journal PNAS Nexus.
How organic matter traps water in soil—even in the driest conditions
