How does manure & other organic matter improve soil structure? Based on my understanding, soil structure refers to the arrangement of the aggregates within the soil; a good soil structure prevents waterlogging, "nutrient-lockup" (and ultimately the death of the crops). However, I don't understand how manure can improve this structure to the benefit of the plants.
In my textbook, it has been—without any further explanation—written that:
Manure and other organic matter gives the soil a good structure and improves its water-holding properties. Conversely, artificial fertilizers do little to maintain a good soil structure because they contain no organic matter.
Googling led me to the following paragraph, but again, it hardly explains how:
Organic matter causes soil to clump and form soil aggregates (how though?), which improves soil structure. With better soil structure, permeability (infiltration of water through the soil) improves, in turn improving the soil's ability to take up and hold water.
[I have a couple of theories as to how this might be, but I'd rather ask here and not mess up]