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===Humus=== | ===Humus=== | ||
"It is difficult to define humus precisely because it is a very complex substance which is not fully understood." <br> | <b>"It is difficult to define humus precisely because it is a very complex substance which is not fully understood." <b/><br> | ||
In soil science, humus (derived in 1790–1800 from the Latin humus for earth, ground[1]) denominates the fraction of soil organic matter that is amorphous and without the "cellular cake structure characteristic of plants, micro-organisms or animals".[2] Humus significantly affects the bulk density of soil and contributes to its retention of moisture and nutrients. | In soil science, humus (derived in 1790–1800 from the Latin humus for earth, ground[1]) denominates the fraction of soil organic matter that is amorphous and without the "cellular cake structure characteristic of plants, micro-organisms or animals".[2] Humus significantly affects the bulk density of soil and contributes to its retention of moisture and nutrients. | ||