Explain humfication and top soil
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Transformation of organic matter into humus. The process of humificationcan occur naturally in soil, or in the production of compost. ... Humus allows soil organisms to feed and reproduce, and is often described as the "life-force" of the soil.
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process of humification can occur naturally in soil, or in the production of compost. Organic matter is degraded into humus by a combination of saprotrophic fungi, bacteria, microbes and animals such as earthworms, nematodes, protozoa and various arthropods.[11][better source needed] The importance of chemically stable humus is thought by some to be the fertility it provides to soils in both a physical and chemical sense,[12] though some agricultural experts put a greater focus on other features of it, such as its ability to suppress disease.[13] It helps the soil retain moisture[14] by increasing microporosity,[15] and encourages the formation of good soil structure.[16][17] The incorporation of oxygen into large organic molecular assemblages generates many active, negatively charged sites that bind to positively charged ions (cations) of plant nutrients, making them more available to the plant by way of ion exchange.[18] Humus allows soil organisms to feed and reproduce, and is often described as the "life-force" of the soil.[19][20]
Plant remains (including those that passed through an animal gut and were excreted as faeces) contain organic compounds: sugars, starches, proteins, carbohydrates, lignins, waxes, resins, and organic acids. The process of organic matter decay in the soil begins with the decomposition of sugars and starches from carbohydrates, which break down easily as detritivores initially invade the dead plant organs, while the remaining cellulose and lignin break down more slowly.[21] Simple proteins, organic acids, starches and sugars break down rapidly, while crude proteins, fats, waxes and resins remain relatively unchanged for longer periods of time. Lignin, which is quickly transformed by white-rot fungi,[22] is one of the main precursors of humus,[23]together with by-products of microbial[24] and animal[25] activity. The end-product of this process, the humus, is thus a mixture of compounds and complex life chemicals of plant, animal, or microbial origin that has many functions and benefits in the soil. Earthworm humus (vermicompost) is considered by some to be the best organic manure there is.[26]
Plant remains (including those that passed through an animal gut and were excreted as faeces) contain organic compounds: sugars, starches, proteins, carbohydrates, lignins, waxes, resins, and organic acids. The process of organic matter decay in the soil begins with the decomposition of sugars and starches from carbohydrates, which break down easily as detritivores initially invade the dead plant organs, while the remaining cellulose and lignin break down more slowly.[21] Simple proteins, organic acids, starches and sugars break down rapidly, while crude proteins, fats, waxes and resins remain relatively unchanged for longer periods of time. Lignin, which is quickly transformed by white-rot fungi,[22] is one of the main precursors of humus,[23]together with by-products of microbial[24] and animal[25] activity. The end-product of this process, the humus, is thus a mixture of compounds and complex life chemicals of plant, animal, or microbial origin that has many functions and benefits in the soil. Earthworm humus (vermicompost) is considered by some to be the best organic manure there is.[26]
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