Question

Which of the following statements regarding decomposition is false?

• A. Warm and moist environment favours decomposition.
• B. Decomposition rate is slower if detritus is rich in chitin and lignin.
• C. Earthworm is a detritivore
• D. Precipitation of soluble inorganic nutrients into the soil horizon as unavailable salts is called mineralisation.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Leaching: Part of water-soluble substances present in the fragmented and decomposition detritus (e.g., sugars, inorganic nutrients) go down into the soil horizon by percolating water and get precipitated as unavailable salts.
Mineralisation: It is the release of inorganic substances by saprophytic microbes (e.g. $CO_2, H_2O$, minerals) from organic matter or humus during the process of decomposition.