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ORGANIC MATTER/ HUMUS CONTENT

Importance of humus content:

Organic matter/ humus is one of the most important substances in the soil. A soil with a high content of humus has less problems with dryness; the adhesion of water and nutritious elements is much better and there is less chance of their being washed out. Especially in the case of clay soils, organic matter/ humus provides for a better structure and makes the soil easier to cultivate. For the rest it gives room to the soil biota and other life in the soil. The decomposition of organic matter releases an amount of nitrogen on an annual basis. The lower the value number is for organic nitrogen within the organic matter, the lower the amount of nitrogen is which is being released annually.

In short the importance of organic matter in the soil:

- accommodation of soil life.

- storage of nutritious elements.

- structural support.

- stimulation of root growth

Possibilities for improvement of the content of organic matter:

- fertilization with compost

- a meadow normally improves the organic matter by about 0.1 % (nominal) a year.

The content is expressed in the weight percentage of dry soil.