Podzolisation and soil organic matter dynamics

The present paper offers an amended podzolisation theory, in which relative contribution of illuviated organic matter and root litter together with organic matter dynamics provide an explanation for the large variation in podzol morphology. It is suggested that fast organic matter dynamics as occurs on nutrient-rich parent materials in the boreal zone causes small accumulation of organic matter, mainly derived from roots. In such soils, the colors of Fe components dominate in the B horizon. Slow organic matter dynamics, as occurs on nutrient-poor parent materials and under hydromorphic circumstances, favors large organic matter accumulations in the B horizon, and a larger abundance of DOC-derived organic matter coatings. The latter group includes tropical podzols.