Concept in Definition ABC

Humus is the top layer of the I usually which is composed of a set of decomposing organic matter, such as fungi and bacteria.

This layer is especially characterized by its blackish color as a consequence of the large amount of carbon it contains. It is more feasible to find in the highest parts of the soils that have organic activity.

The degree of decomposition of the organic elements that make up humus is such that they become stable, not decomposing any more and do not undergo considerable transformations.

There are two types of humus, the old humus and the young humus.
The old, as a result of the long time elapsed, has a color between purple and reddish, some of its characteristics are: humins and humic acids. This type of humus only physically influences the soils, retaining the Water and preventing erosion. And the young humus is the one that has just been formed, therefore, it is that it has a lower degree of polymerization and is composed of humic and fulvic acids.

Among the important contributions that humus presents are the following: it makes it easier to till the land, prevents crusting or compaction, helps water retention, increases soil porosity, regulates soil nutrition plant, improves the assimilation of mineral fertilizers, produces carbon dioxide, provides microorganisms useful to the ground and improves endurance of the plants.

Pesticides, fertilizers and biocides contribute in some way to the degradation and removal of humus.
For example, tillage kills humus by burying it.

So, taking these issues into account, some methods of culture that do not destroy the humus as being the farming biological, direct seeding, among others.