Difference between revisions of "Humus"

Revision as of 18:44, 24 June 2012

Topic in Gardening courses. By John Eagles.

This page is under construction!

From: http://agriinfo.in/default.aspx?page=topic&superid=5&topicid=137 Soil Humus

Humus is the organic residue in the soil resulting from decomposition of plant and animal residues in soil, or it is the highly complex organic residual matter in soil which is not readily degraded by microorganism, or it is the soft brown/dark coloured amorphous substance composed of residual organic matter along with dead microorganisms.

Composition of Humus:

In most soil, percentage of humus ranges from 2-10 percent, whereas it is up to 90 percent in peat bog. On average humus is composed of Carbon (58 %), Nitrogen (3-6 %, Av.5%), acids - humic acid, fulvic acid, humin, apocrenic acid, and C: N ratio 10:1 to 12:1. During the course of their activities, the microorganisms synthesize number of compounds which plays important role in humus formation.

Functions/Role of Humus:

It improves physical condition of soil

Improve water holding capacity of soil

Serve as store house for essential plant nutrients

Plays important role in determining fertility level of soil

It tend to make soils more granular with better aggregation of soil particles

Prevent leaching losses of water soluble plant nutrients

Improve microbial/biological activity in soil and encourage better development of plant-root system in soil

Act as buffering agent i.e. prevent sudden change in soil PH/soil reaction

Serve as source of energy and food for the development of soil organisms

It supplies both basic and acidic nutrients for the growth and development of higher plants

Improves aeration and drainage by making the soil more porous

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 : ''Topic in [[Gardening courses]]. By [[User:John|John Eagles]].''
+: ''This page is under construction!''
+From: http://agriinfo.in/default.aspx?page=topic&superid=5&topicid=137
+Soil Humus
+Humus is the organic  residue in the soil resulting from decomposition of plant and animal residues  in soil, or it is the highly complex organic residual matter in soil which is  not readily degraded by microorganism, or it is the soft brown/dark coloured  amorphous substance composed of residual organic matter along with dead  microorganisms.
+Composition of Humus:
+In most soil, percentage  of humus ranges from 2-10 percent, whereas it is up to 90 percent in peat bog.  On average humus is composed of Carbon (58 %), Nitrogen (3-6 %, Av.5%), acids -  humic acid, fulvic acid, humin, apocrenic acid, and C: N ratio 10:1 to 12:1. During the course of their activities, the  microorganisms synthesize number of compounds which plays important role in  humus formation.
+Functions/Role of Humus:
+It improves       physical condition of soil
+Improve water holding capacity of soil
+Serve as store house for essential plant       nutrients
+Plays important role in determining       fertility level of soil
+It tend to make soils more granular with       better aggregation of soil particles
+Prevent leaching losses of water soluble       plant nutrients
+Improve microbial/biological activity in       soil and encourage better development of plant-root system in soil
+Act as buffering agent i.e.       prevent sudden change in soil PH/soil reaction
+Serve as source of energy and       food for the development of soil organisms
+It supplies both basic and       acidic nutrients for the growth and development of higher plants
+Improves aeration and drainage       by making the soil more porous
 == See also ==