Which factor does NOT influence nitrogen release from decomposing organic materials?

The factor that does not influence nitrogen release from decomposing organic materials is soil color. Soil color primarily reflects the mineral composition and organic matter content of the soil, but it does not have a direct impact on the biochemical processes involved in the decomposition of organic materials and the subsequent release of nitrogen.

When organic matter breaks down, nitrogen is made available primarily through microbial activity, which is influenced by various factors. The carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio is crucial because a higher carbon content relative to nitrogen can slow down the decomposition process and nitrogen release. Soil pH affects the activity of decomposing microorganisms and their ability to mineralize nitrogen, while soil moisture content influences the conditions under which these microorganisms operate. Therefore, while C:N ratio, soil pH, and soil moisture content all play significant roles in nitrogen release, soil color does not impact these biological processes.