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Humus (4472 words) |
 | Humus formed under water is slightly different than its aerobic counterpart due more to the nature of the residues from the two different environments than the process of aerobic vs. anaerobic humification. |
| This is not to say that humus is immune from further decay, but its resistance to decomposition is at a level that enables it to exist for decades if not centuries as a soil conditioner, a habitat for microbial life and a vast reservoir of plant and microbial nutrient. |
| The formation of new humus is critical to maintaining a stable presence of this asset in the soil. |
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humus - Encyclopedia.com (387 words) |
| Humus is formed by the decomposing action of soil microorganisms (e.g., bacteria and fungi), which break down animal and vegetable material into elements that can be used by growing plants. |
| Technically, humus, as the end result of this process, is less valuable for plant growth than are the products formed during active decomposition (see fertilizer). |
| Because of its low specific weight and high surface area, humus has a profound effect upon the physical properties of mineral soils with regard to improved soil structure, water intake and reservoir capacity, ability to resist erosion, and the ability to hold chemical elements in a form readily accessible to plants. |
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