Fertilizing the soil with humus: properties, application rules

Humus: Definition, Advantages and Disadvantages

Humus is an element of natural soil fertility. The term "humus" is familiar to any student. It is customary for them to designate a part of the soil consisting of rotted plant and animal remains. The more humus the soil contains, the more fertile it is.

Pure humus looks like loose soft earth. It consists of small lumpy particles and, when applied to the upper layers of the soil, has a great positive effect on the soil:

makes the soil more structured, improves its water and air permeability, moisture capacity;
increases the content of humic and fulvic acids in the soil, due to which mineral compounds are transferred from the soil solution into a form available to plants;
stimulates the activity of beneficial soil microorganisms and earthworms.

Good humus does no harm to soil and plants. This is one of the few types of fertilizers without any disadvantages.

What is it and what is its composition

Humus is an important soil element that allows you to determine its fertility. It is formed during the life of microorganisms that are in the soil, decomposing complex organic remains of plants and animals into simple components. These parts will be assimilated by plants planted in this soil.

In addition to all that has been said, organic fertilizers have a positive effect on water and air nutrition of crops. Also, humus is directly involved in the development of bacteria and microorganisms that live in symbiosis with the root system of plants. Thus, vegetable crops will be able to receive available nutrients. A lot of humus is found in chicken, cow and horse manure. Once decomposed, it becomes a valuable fertilizer for vegetable plants.

How is the application of ammonium nitrate fertilizer. specified in this article.

The video tells how to cook humus in the country using accelerated technology:

Humus, compost and humus: what's the difference?

Some gardeners are confused about the definitions and often call the contents of compost piles humus. To clarify the terminology, you need to understand how these types of fertilizers are produced:

Compost is organic waste decomposed to varying degrees. The compost can contain any organic matter - from coarse branches and sawdust to kitchen waste. Therefore, even mature compost is heterogeneous in structure ⊕ how to make compost - step by step instructions.
Humus is a product of complete decomposition of plant residues and animal excrement. It is produced only from manure or rapidly decomposing organic matter - grass and leaves. It looks absolutely homogeneous, individual non-rotting inclusions in it are invisible.
Humus is a combination of organic matter in the soil. It is contained in both compost and humus ⊕ how to use vermicompost to increase fertility