As described by the United Nations in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the world is facing several global issues. Among them are food security and climate change, which can to our opinion be addressed by one solution hidden in soil – humus.
Natural humus is a dark-colored product of decomposition and recondensation of plant, animal and microbial residuals, formed in the top layer of soil through milenia. It is a key element of soil health and fertility that directly defines its physico-chemical properties and ability to withstand erosion. Namely, presence of humus, or humic substances (HS), positively influences important soil health parameters:
- Cation exchange regulation and binding of heavy metals. Easily ionized polar groups (phenolic and carboxylic) of HS act as a cation exchange regulators and chelating agents holding the vital microelements in a top layer of soil and making them accessible for plant nutrition.
- Water holding capacity is closely tied to the content of HS. Water retained in the upper soil horizon is easily accessible to plant roots which significantly diminishes the necessity for irrigation.
- Soil conditioner: HS prevent soil erosion by gluing mineral particles together and encouraging the growth of plant roots, additionally increasing the erosion resistance.
- Ecosystems: humic matter is a habitat to the wide diversity of microorganisms, playing an essential role in soil organic carbon accumulation and healthy soil ecosystem establishment.
Given its positive impact on plant growth and crop yields, a substantial presence of humic matter in soil has the potential to not only secure the global food demand but also elevate life standards for everyone.
With our Hydrothermal Humification Process we will speed up the slow natural transformation of humus structures with the potential of being the turning point in mitigating climate change.
