Every gardener and gardener knows what soil humus is, how important it is for high yields and lush vegetation in the garden. Many even engaged in its independent production. However, beginning gardeners and gardeners do not always understand what is being said, why this component of the soil is needed, what it affects and where to get it. All the subtleties we will describe later in this material.
What is humus, the definition of
Everyone has heard the word humus, but not everyone can say what it is. Maximum - something related to the soil. If you refer to scientific sources, you can find the following interpretation: This is a specific complex of nitrogen compounds, which appear due to the mineralization of plant residues under the influence of enzymes released by microorganisms living in the soil. Simply put, humus is the humus that many gardeners produce on their land. This fertilizer is very popular both in gardens, kitchen gardens, and in the cultivation of indoor plants.
Other definitions clarify that humus can also be produced on the basis of organic animal residues - litter. And they divide it into different types depending on whose litter is its basis. But if you look in detail at what humus and humus are, it becomes clear that these are different substances. So, an important role in the creation of humus is played by earthworms. Thanks to their vital activity, the substrate is enriched with useful substances and acquires a special value. Some farms specially breed and add the worms to the soil of the garden or garden. Fungi and microorganisms are also involved in the formation of the substrate. Humus is it is a substrate not treated with worms, an intermediate variant of humus.
With regard to the content of substances, humic acids are primarily composed of humic acids, which are extremely useful for plants. They do not dissolve in water at all, but are soluble in sodium pyrophosphate, soda, ammonia, alkalis. Another useful ingredient is fulvic acid. They dissolve in water and give a strong acid reaction. Not soluble in water or in other substances humic, which are also included in its composition. Humus also contains various acid derivatives that give substance stability.
How humus is formed in the soil and its beneficial properties
This organic matter can form in the soil itself. Various underground and surface parts of plants remain in the soil after dying and decompose. Depending on the planting age and the thickness of their growth, the amount of organic matter in the soil will vary greatly.
After decomposition, the actual process of humification occurs, after which the humus layer acquires a characteristic dark brown color. That's the whole answer to the question of how humus is formed. Although it is shown here extremely schematically, in fact, when a substrate is formed, a lot of complex chemical processes occur. After that, a great deal of work is carried out by annelids, which complete the process of humification.
Important! Organic matter is humified only with minimal access of oxygen and high humidity.
As for the role of humus in the soil, its useful properties directly depend on what organic substances formed the basis of it. In any case, it is a universal fertilizer that is suitable for different types of plants and soils. Moreover, it is permanently stored in the soil, saturating it with useful elements. For example, in clay soils, it lasts up to five years, significantly improving the technical characteristics of the soil. Humus and fertility - interrelated things. But in addition, the substrate affects the permeability of the soil, making it more friable and crumbly.
Did you know? Humus transforms soil structure. Thanks to him, hard lumps become porous and crumble. It promotes air permeability and moisture absorption.
Another important property of the substrate is the ability to bind salts of aromatic hydrocarbons, radionuclides, and heavy metals that are found in the soil. It absorbs them into itself, binds and does not allow to spread further.
Soil classification by the level of humus in the soil
So, we have given the definition of humus, understand its properties and benefits that it has for the soil. Now let's understand the types of soils in which it is contained. As already mentioned, humus is formed from plant residues. Accordingly, the more of them on the ground, the greater the content of humus in it. The highest rate is 15%. It is characteristic of black soil. In other types of soil it is much smaller. Depending on this indicator, they are divided into the following types.
Mild humus
These are so-called poor soils, which contain no more than 1% of humus. For example, the amount of humus in podzolic soils, which are characteristic of coniferous forests, is low due to the small amount of vegetation and high mulch content in the upper layers.
Did you know? Since humus has a dark brown, almost black color, it absorbs sunlight well and retains heat. Such soils warm up faster, so planting time comes on them earlier than on the poor.
Low humus content in poor soil is reflected in its structure. It contains little lime and humus, and therefore it is poorly penetrated by moisture and air. In addition, it lowers the vital activity of organisms, which does not contribute to the rapid and significant formation of humus.
Moderately humus
This type of soil is slightly more fertile than the previous one, because contains from 1% to 2% of humus.
Medium humus
Medium humus soils, in which the content of the substrate reaches 3%.
Humus
The best humus composition forms 3 - 5% in the soil. It is often used for breeding flowers and garden plants.
Secrets of agronomists: how to increase the level of humus in the soil
It is logical that every gardener and gardener wants to grow plants on fertile soil rich in humus. But if in the case of indoor plants this question is easy to solve, then when processing large open areas, the question arises of how to effectively and inexpensively increase the content of humus in various types of soil. This can be achieved in one of four main ways:
- creating your own stocks;
- embedding of humus in the soil;
- create soil conditions for the work of worms and microorganisms;
- adhere to the correct alternation of crops in the garden and in the garden.
To increase the amount of humus, it can be embedded in the soil as a fertilizer, but in this case you need to know how to use the substrate correctly. Close it up into the top layer of soil evenly. How deeply the substrate is immersed in the soil depends on the purposes for which the soil is prepared. For example, under perennial shrubs and trees it is immersed to a depth of half a meter or more in each hole. When planting vegetable crops, it is buried in beds to a depth of 40 - 60 cm.
Important! Some gardeners, in addition to humus, add mineral fertilizers to the soil, solving the question of how to increase soil fertility. However, too high a concentration of minerals is harmful to plants. Therefore, such fertilizers are recommended to be applied carefully. Moreover, they are introduced only in the spring and exclusively with organic fertilizers. The most effective is a mixture of two parts of humus and one - mineral fertilizer.
As already mentioned, all types of humus are formed due to the work of microorganisms and worms. Without them, the substrate remains humus. Therefore, to improve the quality of the soil, it is necessary to create in it an environment conducive to their vital activity. To do this, it is recommended to loosen the soil often, which will allow you to create a good air regime. During dry periods, it is important to maintain the required level of moisture. For this, the soil is mulched with foil, peat, grass, sawdust and other means.
If you have not yet figured out what humus is and where to get it, try to observe the correct alternation of growing crops in the beds. Thus, you reduce the consumption of fertile soil, and in some cases even slightly increase its percentage. The main thing is to remember that From year to year it is impossible to plant the same crop in the same area, since this depletes the soil. If you alternate the crop rotation at least every 3 - 4 years, this can be avoided.
Of the options proposed gardeners often stop at the last and the first. Humus, as organic matter, is well formed in the compost under certain conditions. Then it is made of approximately 4–8 kg per square meter of land.
So, humus - A special substrate, which affects the level of soil fertility, absorbs harmful compounds and prevents them from spreading further into the natural environment. Therefore, it is often called a natural filter. It is formed from the remnants of plants that are preyut and processed by microorganisms, worms. Humus can be obtained at your site, and how to apply the resulting substrate will be dealt with by any gardener who has ever applied fertilizer to his site.
