Humus

What is humus?

Humus is a dark organic substance and is a natural part of the soil cycle. It consists of a variety of organic materials, such as leaves, stems and roots, but also animal remains such as feces and carcasses, which are broken down by soil microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. This process enriches carbon, which gives the humus soil its dark color, as well as other nutrients that are important for plant growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. These substances are bound in the soil by so-called clay-humus complexes and used as food by plants and soil microorganisms for decades.

In agriculture, humus-rich soil is an important indicator of soil health. Soils that are rich in nutrient humus are more fertile and productive. One of the biggest challenges in modern agriculture is the loss of humus due to intensive agricultural practices, such as excessive tillage and excessive use of chemical fertilizers, which have led to a loss of 30% of humus-rich soil in Germany.

In regenerative agriculture, humus is a critical factor in revitalizing soil health and the ecosystem. This approach emphasizes the creation and maintenance of humus through practices such as minimal tillage, addition of organic matter and year-round soil cover through diverse crop rotations. These measures not only help to improve soil quality and support the soil ecosystem, but also help with carbon sequestration. This turns our soils into effective carbon sinks in the fight against climate change.

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