Decomposition of Organic Matter with a C:N Ratio _______ Than

Decomposition of organic matter with a C:N ratio _______ than 25:1 (the optimal ratio for microbial growth) would result in a net release of nutrients into the soil. The reason is that microbial growth in this situation would be more limited by the _______ supply than by the _______ supply.

A) less; energy; nitrogen
B) less; nitrogen; carbon dioxide
C) less; nitrogen; energy
D) greater; energy; nitrogen