Which layer is found between the green portion of a plant and the soil, consisting of decomposed organic matter?

Which layer is found between the green portion of a plant and the soil, consisting of decomposed organic matter?

• A. Thatch
• B. Humus
• C. Litter
• D. Mulch

Answer: (A)

Thatch is the layer that sits between the green turf and the soil and is made up of partly decomposed organic matter, including dead roots, stems, crowns, and leaves. It forms as plant material dies and accumulates faster than it breaks down, creating a distinct surface layer that is separate from the soil itself. Humus, by contrast, is organic matter that has fully decomposed and become part of the soil, improving soil structure and fertility. Litter refers to recently fallen plant debris on the surface, and mulch is material placed on top of the soil for protection and moisture retention. Because the description specifies a layer between the green tissue and the soil composed of decomposed organic matter, thatch is the correct term.

Thatch is the layer that sits between the green turf and the soil and is made up of partly decomposed organic matter, including dead roots, stems, crowns, and leaves. It forms as plant material dies and accumulates faster than it breaks down, creating a distinct surface layer that is separate from the soil itself. Humus, by contrast, is organic matter that has fully decomposed and become part of the soil, improving soil structure and fertility. Litter refers to recently fallen plant debris on the surface, and mulch is material placed on top of the soil for protection and moisture retention. Because the description specifies a layer between the green tissue and the soil composed of decomposed organic matter, thatch is the correct term.