Question

Which step of decomposition makes nutrients available again to producers?

विकल्प

• Humification, which forms humus

• Catabolism, which chemically degrades detritus

• Mineralisation, where humus is further degraded to release inorganic nutrients back into the soil

• Fragmentation, which breaks detritus into smaller pieces

Answer 1

Mineralisation is the final step that releases inorganic nutrients back into the soil, making them available to producers (plants). In this step, certain microbes degrade humus further, converting it into soluble mineral ions such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This completes the nutrient cycle by returning nutrients to the abiotic environment.