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Humus is different from decomposing soil organic matter. The latter looks rough and has visible remains of the original plant or animal matter. Fully humified humus, on the contrary, has a uniformly dark, spongy, and jelly-like appearance, and is amorphous; it may gradually decay over several years or persist for millennia. [14]
The term comes from humus, which in turn comes from the Latin word humus, meaning "soil, earth". [1] Humic substances represent the major part of organic matter in soil , peat , coal , and sediments , and are important components of dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) in lakes (especially dystrophic lakes ), rivers, and sea water .
Mor humus is a form of forest floor humus occurring mostly in coniferous forests. [1] Mor humus consists of evergreen needles and woody debris that litter the forest floor. This litter is slow to decompose , in part due to their chemical composition (low pH, low nutrient content), but also because of the generally cool and wet conditions where ...
More plants cohabit in mull humus, and the plant biodiversity is highly related to nutrient availability and the impacts of the soil acidity. Too much nutrient availability may negatively impact plant growth, but the high competition between soil organisms can deal with the concern. [11] The effects of mull humus on the vegetation growth are ...
Moder humus form may include only the Ah horizon or ectorganic horizons below end- organic horizons. [2] Fine humus elements have permeated the mineral soil on this horizon. Although soil animals may carry organic matter into the upper region of this horizon, this will only happen over a short distance. [2]
For instance, sheep manure is high in nitrogen and potash, while pig manure is relatively low in both. Horses mainly eat grass and a few weeds, so horse manure can contain grass and weed seeds, because horses do not digest seeds as cattle do. Cattle manure is a good source of nitrogen as well as organic carbon. [3]
Soil colors influenced by mineralogy. Soil color is often the most visually apparent property of soil. While color itself does not influence the behavior or practical use of soils, [1] it does indicate important information about the soil organic matter content, mineralogy, moisture, and drainage.
Soil treatment and identification Bulk density (g/cm 3) Pore space (%) Tilled surface soil of a cotton field 1.3: 51 Trafficked inter-rows where wheels passed surface 1.67: 37 Traffic pan at 25 cm deep 1.7: 36 Undisturbed soil below traffic pan, clay loam 1.5: 43 Rocky silt loam soil under aspen forest 1.62: 40 Loamy sand surface soil 1.5: 43 ...