Comparative Assessment of Three Methods for Soil Organic Matter Determination in Calcareous Soils, Eastern Algeria

Hadjer Laoufi (), Hakim Bachir, Samir Hadj-Miloud and Kerry Clark ()
Additional contact information
Hadjer Laoufi: Laboratory of Characterization and Valorisation of Natural Resources, University of Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi, El-Anasser, Bordj Bou Arreridj 34030, Algeria
Hakim Bachir: Research Division of Bioclimatology and Agricultural Hydraulics, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRAA), Algiers 16200, Algeria
Samir Hadj-Miloud: Laboratory of Water Management in Agriculture (LMEA), Soil Science Department, National Higher Agronomic School (ENSA), Avenue Hassan Badi, BP El Harrach, ES1603, Algiers 16200, Algeria
Kerry Clark: School of Natural Resources, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a fundamental role in soil fertility and ecosystem functioning. In calcareous soils, SOM quantification is often challenging due to carbonate interference. This study aimed to compare three common analytical methods for SOM determination: the Anne method, the modified Walkley–Black method, and the Loss on Ignition (LOI) method, with and without decarbonation. Twenty-five soil samples were collected from a calcareous parcel in the Bordj Bou Arreridj region (Algeria), and SOM content was analysed using all methods. The results revealed substantial variability in SOM content across methods, reflecting differences in sensitivity to carbonates and efficiency of organic carbon oxidation. The Anne method, considered the reference technique, yielded the highest mean SOM content (3.61%), followed by LOI without decarbonation (3.41%), the modified Walkley–Black method (2.96%), and LOI with decarbonation (2.55%). Strong correlations were observed between methods, particularly between the Anne method and LOI with decarbonation (R 2 = 0.91), confirming the latter as a reliable alternative. Decarbonation significantly reduced SOM overestimation, as demonstrated by paired statistical tests and a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 2.95). Linear regression models were established to estimate SOM from LOI results, providing a cost-effective approach for rapid assessment. These findings highlight the importance of method selection according to soil type, the need for standardised protocols, and the value of LOI with decarbonation as a robust, practical, and economical method for SOM determination in calcareous soils.

Keywords: soil organic matter; calcareous soil; Walkley–Black method; Anne method; loss on ignition; Algeria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/10/2030/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/10/2030/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:10:p:2030-:d:1768612

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().