This book dwells on soil organic matter in its entirety: the composition, distribution, pools and reactive functional groups of soil organic matter; its decomposition, nutrient transformations and biochemistry of humus formation; its role in pedogenic processes; adsorption of organic compounds by clay; clay-organic matter complexes; humus - trace metals and humus - pesticides interactions; environmental significance of humic substances and characterization of soil organic matter. The potentials of nuclear techniques in the study of soil organic matter have been elucidated for the benefit of research scholars. Various management practices for building organic matter in soils have also been discussed. A compilation of qualitative and quantitative analytical procedures on organic matter complements the book.

The book will be a useful source material for researchers, scholars and all stakeholders concerned with soil organic matter and sustainable agriculture.

A. Raja Rajan graduated from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, (TNAU) Coimbatore and holds a doctorate in Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry. He had his post­doctoral training on Soil Organic Matter at University of Florida, Gainesville, USA as an FAO Fellow.

He has served in various positions in TNAU and was Dean at Agricultural College & Research Institute, Killikulam (TN), Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, TNAU, Coimbatore and Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Education and Research of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute at its Coimbatore Campus. He has vast teaching and research experience in Agriculture, spanning over 40 years and has guided