Humus

What is humus?

Humus is a dark organic substance and a natural part of the soil cycle. It consists of a variety of organic materials, including leaves, stems, roots, and animal remains like faeces and carcasses, which are broken down by soil microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. This decomposition process enriches the soil with carbon, which gives humus its dark colour, along with other nutrients essential for plant growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur. These nutrients are bound in the soil by clay-humus complexes and can be used by plants and soil microorganisms for decades.

In agriculture, humus-rich soil is an important indicator of soil health. Soils rich in humus are more fertile and productive. One of the biggest challenges in modern agriculture is the loss of humus due to intensive agricultural practices like excessive tillage and the overuse of chemical fertilisers. This has led to a 30% loss of humus-rich soil in Germany.

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