Content
- What is the difference between humus and compost?
- Humus as a homogeneous soil layer
- Compost as a heterogeneous compilation
- Use of compost
Humus is the uppermost layer of the earth
What is the difference between humus and compost?
There is confusion in the usage of the terms "humus" and "compost". Although both substrate forms have similarities, there are subtle differences in their formation and composition. Because of the similarities, compost is ideal for soil care.
Humus as a homogeneous soil layer
Humus is the top soil layer in natural habitats that consists of decomposing organic residues. Soil organisms process animal and plant remains and produce a homogeneous substrate rich in nutrients. The soil fauna needs moisture, air and heat to transform the materials. If the conditions are not right, it will cause rot. A humus layer on the ground stores water and provides nutrients to the plants.
Humus soils do not arise everywhere. The soil fauna is influenced by the carbon-nitrogen ratio. On the soils of coniferous forests there is an imbalance in favor of carbon. Needle litter acidifies the soil, which is why hardly any soil organisms occur here. In deciduous forests, the relationship is balanced and the soil fauna produces a thick layer of humus.
Compost as a heterogeneous compilation
In contrast to humus, the compost soil is not completely decomposed. The substrate is a composition of plant waste, which is processed by the action of soil organisms first to humus. In linguistic usage, mature compost soil is also referred to as compost. The compost substrate often contains unrubbed and lignified plant parts, so that it only contains homogeneous humus with a fine crumb structure in parts.
While humus occurs in natural habitats without human intervention, compost is actively produced. There is fresh compost that contains low levels of decomposable organic residues. This substrate stimulates the activity of soil organisms. Ready-to-use compost contains large amounts of pure humus and small parts of hard-to-decompose substances. It is slowly processed by the soil fauna and is a slow-flowing nutrient source.
Use of compost
Humus has a balanced ratio of calcium and iron, potassium and aluminum, magnesium and manganese, phosphorus and sulfur, nitrogen and carbon. A well-matured compost that has been stored for at least a year is comparable to pure humus. It not only serves as a fertilizer but has a positive impact on the soil.
These effects causes compost: