What is the importance of soil organic matter in corn cultivation?

Organic matter in the soil plays an essential role in fertility, water holding capacity and overall strength of the soil. It is estimated that approximately 50% of soil organic matter in most soils was lost in the first 100 years after grasslands and savannahs were converted to agricultural land. Reducing soil erosion through methods such as conservation tillage is very important in soil conservation, saving billions of tons of topsoil, especially on vulnerable lands.