Humus, << HYOO muhs, >> is a dark brown substance found in soil. It is formed when roots, plants, and the dead bodies of small animals decay. The decay is caused by the action of microscopic living beings called bacteria and fungi. The amount of humus in soil affects the soil’s texture and its ability to hold moisture and to supply necessary food. A good mixture of humus generally increases the yield and quality of a crop.
Humus is soft and spongy. It fills the spaces between the mineral grains of the soil, and enables the plant roots to send out tiny, hairlike parts through which they absorb water and food. Humus also holds water and reduces the problem of water running off and eroding (wearing away) the soil.
