KOZGRO, Inc. - Humus-The Miracle of the Soil

“HUMUS, THE MIRACLE OF THE SOIL”

Is it important to have humus in our soil? It is difficult to accurately evaluate the total economic importance of humus in our agricultural soils. Humus controls and regulates many soil functions, as well as plant growth. The higher the humus level is in the soil, the healthier and more productive the soil will be. Regardless of the program one uses in their farming operation, the higher the humus level, the better the crop will grow and the more it will produce. A good humus level in the soil will hold moisture longer, thus less water is required for crop production. Also, a good humus level reduces both wind and water erosion.

There seems to be a false belief among farmers today that organic matter is the same as humus. Organic matter is crop residue that is in the process of decomposition, while humus is decomposed organic matter. Experts agree that 25,000 pounds of corn stalk residue per acre, broken down with nitrogen fertilizer, increases the humus level less than 1%. They also state it is almost impossible to attain a 2% humus level, even if 50,000 pounds of corn residue is plowed down every year for 5 years in sequence, when using today’s high salt index fertilization programs. With modern chemical farming practices, a humus level of 2% or more is desired by most farmers, but attained by few.

Carbon compounds make up 50% of the humus. The carbon compounds contained in the humus are used by microorganisms through the process of fermentation and respiration, converting it into high energy values used by the plant for growth. Other portions of the carbon may be spent, or used, in the oxidation of mineral compounds into simpler and more available forms of energies. Humus enables bacteria to carry out antibiotic effects in the soil, as well as aiding bacteria interrelations with plant roots.

Humus absorbs the highly active non-nutrient hydrogen sources present in the soil, and makes them immediately available as a food source for assimilation and usage by the plant. The humus colloid, or particle, will absorb and hold three times more mineral cations, water and carbon compounds in the soil, that are in a readily usable form for the plant to utilize. This means better crop growth and production. The humus colloid also protects (buffers) the microbial and plant systems against excessive sodium, magnesium, potassium, as well as other positive charged minerals, as the humus colloid carries negative charged ions. The humus colloid also acts to buffer and enhance the four anions of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, in their system of nutritional service to the soil and plant. When carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur are associated with humus, they become dynamic nutrients for both soil microbe activity, as well as plant growth.

The humic acids, carbonic acids, and carbon energies are activated, either through the association of properly digested organic matter, or from a balanced decaying of crop residue. It is well known humic acid controls many of the vital processes in the soil and in the plant (i.e. - absorption, photosynthesis, evaporation, growth, etc.). If the soil is too acidic, or too alkaline, or high in salt content, crops will not attain their full production potential. Therefore, if the soil contains enough humus, the plant is healthier and will be less susceptible to insect damage.

The natural process of humus production starts with crop residue. This residue can be broken down into organic matter with proper moisture and microorganism activity. The nutrients in the organic matter are still not available to the plant. The final stage of decomposition is when the organic matter is broken down into humus. Micro and macro organisms, such as earthworms, along with the proper climatic conditions, are essential to complete the process of decomposition in order to produce humus. With the coming of the chemical age of farming in the late 1940’s, this natural cycle of humus production has, in many cases, been totally destroyed.

The chemicals have destroyed many of the beneficial organisms needed to produce humus, while at the same time have mined the humus from the soil. Today, many of our once fertile agricultural soils have become nothing more than a growing medium. In many cases, farmers are using more and more chemicals, while producing less, at a higher cost of production.

To restore our once fertile soil back to where it was, we must accomplish two things. First, we must restore humus back into our soil, and secondly, we must restore the natural biological balance to our soil.

How can we restore humus and biological balance back into our soil? There are many forms of humic acids available on the market today. Most of the humic acids on the market are passive humic acids. They are mined from mineral deposits, such as lignite. Lignite is a low grade coal, found in many areas throughout the world. Passive humic acids, on the whole, contain only a small percentage of humic acid, most of which is not in a form the plant can use.

Kozgro’s AFB, in contrast, contains an active form of humic acid derived from our exclusive plant extracting process. This active humic acid starts to establish humus in the soil immediately upon application, and is in a form that is readily available to the plant. Along with the readily available humic acid, plus other benefits from other plant extracts, the AFB helps set up a conducive environment for beneficial micro and macro organism activity. Kozgro's organic fertilizer and plant food, AFB, helps to restore our depleted soils to their once healthy, productive state.

KOZGRO WORKS WITH THE CAUSE - NOT THE SYMPTOM