Soil organic matter, a key component of soils, affects many reactions that occur in these systems. In spite of this, soil organic matter remains a neglected field in soil science and receives but scant attention in soil science courses. One of the purposes of this book is to remedy this situation and to provide researchers, teachers and students with an up-to-date account of the current state of knowledge in this field. The first three chapters of the book deal with the principal components of soil organic matter, that is, humic substances, carbohydrates and organic nitrogen-, phosphorus- and sulfur-containing compounds. In Chapter 4 reactions between soil organic matter and pesticides are discussed, whereas Chapters 5 and 6 are concerned with the more practical aspects of soil organic matter. The author of each chapter is an active researcher in the field about which he is writing. We were hoping that the direct involvement that each author has with his subject would result in a more adequate and relevant book.
