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The process of "humification" can occur naturally in soil, or in the production of [[compost]]. Chemically stable humus is thought by some to be important to the fertility of soils in both a physical and chemical sense, though some agricultural experts advocate a greater focus on other aspects of nutrient delivery, instead. Physically, it helps the soil retain moisture, and encourages the formation of good soil structure.  Chemically, it has many active sites which bind to ions of plant nutrients, making them more available. Humus is often described as the 'life-force' of the [[soil]].  Yet it is difficult to define humus in precise terms; it is a highly complex substance, the full nature of which is still not fully understood. Physically, humus can be differentiated from organic matter in that the latter is rough looking material, with coarse plant remains still visible, while once fully humified it becomes more uniform in appearance (a dark, spongy, jelly-like substance) and amorphous in structure. That is, it has no determinate shape, structure or character.

The process of "humification" can occur naturally in soil, or in the production of [[compost]]. Chemically stable humus is thought by some to be important to the fertility of soils in both a physical and chemical sense, though some agricultural experts advocate a greater focus on other aspects of nutrient delivery, instead. Physically, it helps the soil retain moisture, and encourages the formation of good soil structure.  Chemically, it has many active sites which bind to ions of plant nutrients, making them more available. Humus is often described as the 'life-force' of the [[soil]].  Yet it is difficult to define humus in precise terms; it is a highly complex substance, the full nature of which is still not fully understood. Physically, humus can be differentiated from organic matter in that the latter is rough looking material, with coarse plant remains still visible, while once fully humified it becomes more uniform in appearance (a dark, spongy, jelly-like substance) and amorphous in structure. That is, it has no determinate shape, structure or character.

[[Plant]] remains (including those that have passed through an animal and are excreted as [[manure]]) contain organic compounds: sugars, starches, proteins, [[carbohydrate]]s, [[lignin]]s, waxes, resins and [[organic acid]]s. The process of organic matter decay in the soil begins with the decomposition of sugars and starches from carbohydrates which break down easily as [[saprotrophs]] initially invade the dead plant, while the remaining [[cellulose]] breaks down more slowly. Proteins decompose into [[amino acid]]s at a rate depending on [[carbon to nitrogen ratio]]s. Organic acids break down rapidly, while fats, waxes, resins and lignins remain relatively unchanged for longer periods of time. The humus that is the end product of this process is thus a mixture of compounds and complex life chemicals of plant, animal, or microbial origin, which has many functions and benefits in the soil. [[Earthworm]] humus ([[vermicompost]]) is considered by some to be the best organic manure there is.

[[Plant]] remains (including those that have passed through an animal and are excreted as [[manure]]) contain organic compounds: sugars, starches, proteins, carbohydrat]s, lignins, waxes, resins and organic acids. The process of organic matter decay in the soil begins with the decomposition of sugars and starches from carbohydrates which break down easily as saprotrophs initially invade the dead plant, while the remaining cellulose breaks down more slowly. Proteins decompose into amino acids at a rate depending on carbon to nitrogen ratios. Organic acids break down rapidly, while fats, waxes, resins and lignins remain relatively unchanged for longer periods of time. The humus that is the end product of this process is thus a mixture of compounds and complex life chemicals of plant, animal, or microbial origin, which has many functions and benefits in the soil. [[Earthworm]] humus ([[vermicompost]]) is considered by some to be the best organic manure there is.

===Benefits of Humus===

===Benefits of Humus===

*Effective and stable humus (see below) are further sources of nutrients to [[microbe]]s, the former providing a readily available supply while the latter acts as a more long-term storage reservoir.

*Effective and stable humus (see below) are further sources of nutrients to [[microbe]]s, the former providing a readily available supply while the latter acts as a more long-term storage reservoir.

*Humification of dead plant material causes complex organic compounds to break down into simpler forms which are then made available to growing plants for uptake through their root systems.

*Humification of dead plant material causes complex organic compounds to break down into simpler forms which are then made available to growing plants for uptake through their root systems.

*Humus is a [[colloid]]al as substance, and increases the soil's [[cation exchange capacity]], hence its ability to store nutrients by chilation as can [[clay]] particles; thus while these nutrient [[cation]]s are accessible to plants, they are held in the soil safe from leaching away by [[rain]] or [[irrigation]].

*Humus is a colloidal as substance, and increases the soil's cation exchange capacity, hence its ability to store nutrients by chilation as can [[clay]] particles; thus while these nutrient cations are accessible to plants, they are held in the soil safe from leaching away by [[rain]] or [[irrigation]].

*Humus can hold the equivalent of 80-90% of its weight in moisture, and therefore increases the soil's capacity to withstand drought conditions.

*Humus can hold the equivalent of 80-90% of its weight in moisture, and therefore increases the soil's capacity to withstand drought conditions.

*The biochemical structure of humus enables it to moderate – or buffer – excessive [[acid]] or [[alkaline]] soil conditions.

*The biochemical structure of humus enables it to moderate – or buffer – excessive [[acid]] or [[alkaline]] soil conditions.

*During the Humification process, microbes secrete sticky gums; these contribute to the crumb structure of the soil by holding particles together, allowing greater [[aeration]] of the soil. Toxic substances such as [[heavy metals]], as well as excess nutrients, can be [[chelation|chelated]] (that is, bound to the complex organic molecules of humus) and prevented from entering the wider [[ecosystem]].

*During the Humification process, microbes secrete sticky gums; these contribute to the crumb structure of the soil by holding particles together, allowing greater [[aeration]] of the soil. Toxic substances such as [[heavy metals]], as well as excess nutrients, can be chelated (that is, bound to the complex organic molecules of humus) and prevented from entering the wider [[ecosystem]].

*The dark colour of humus (usually black or dark brown) helps to warm up cold soils in the [[spring (season)|spring]].

*The dark colour of humus (usually black or dark brown) helps to warm up cold soils in the [[spring|spring]].

===Humification of leaf litter and formation of clay-humus complexes===

===Humification of leaf litter and formation of clay-humus complexes===

Compost which is readily capable of further [[decomposition]] is sometimes referred to as effective or active humus, though again actual scientists would say that if it is not stable, it's not humus at all. This kind of compost is principally derived from sugars, starches, and proteins, and consists of simple organic (fulvic) acids. It is an excellent source of plant nutrients, but of little value regarding long-term soil structure and tilth. Stable (or passive) humus consisting of [[humic acid]]s, or humins, on the other hand, are so highly [[insoluble]] (or tightly bound

Compost which is readily capable of further [[decomposition]] is sometimes referred to as effective or active humus, though again actual scientists would say that if it is not stable, it's not humus at all. This kind of compost is principally derived from sugars, starches, and proteins, and consists of simple organic (fulvic) acids. It is an excellent source of plant nutrients, but of little value regarding long-term soil structure and tilth. Stable (or passive) humus consisting of humic acids, or humins, on the other hand, are so highly insoluble (or tightly bound

to clay particles that they cannot be penetrated by microbes) that they are greatly resistant to further decomposition. Thus they add few readily available nutrients to the soil, but play an essential part in providing its physical structure. Some very stable humus complexes have survived for thousands of years. Stable humus tends to originate from [[wood]]ier plant materials, eg, cellulose and lignins.

to clay particles that they cannot be penetrated by microbes) that they are greatly resistant to further decomposition. Thus they add few readily available nutrients to the soil, but play an essential part in providing its physical structure. Some very stable humus complexes have survived for thousands of years. Stable humus tends to originate from [[wood]]ier plant materials, eg, cellulose and lignins.

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Plant litter]]

*[[Plant litter]]