The 10 benefits of humus building agriculture
The benefits of humus-building agriculture are many and closely interrelated. Humus not only stores carbon, but also important plant nutrients, water and contributes significantly to a balanced, healthy soil. The following list is intended to provide an overview of the most important benefits and functions of humus.
1. WATER ABSORPTION
Soils become more resilient and can thus better absorb yield fluctuations caused by drought, heat or heavy rainfall events. Humus increases the water absorption capacity of soils and, due to its structure, also allows water to be stored longer and thus be available during dry periods.
2. EROSION CONTROL
Soils that are rich in humus and permanently vegetated play a major role in protecting against erosion caused by water and wind. This is the only way to ensure that valuable topsoil does not end up in our sewers during increasingly frequent heavy rainfall events, but can absorb water on site and prevent flooding.
3. FERTILITY
Humus contains all the nutrients and minerals vital to plants. These are continuously made available to plants in cooperation with microorganisms when they are needed.
4. SOIL STRUCTURE
The structure of humus-rich soils is largely responsible for the good aeration and crumbly nature of the soil substance. This allows plants to develop branched and deep root systems, which in turn enable them to tap nutrients and water particularly well in the soil.
5. PLANT HEALTH
Plants are healthier and pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers can be avoided. This in turn leads to savings in financial resources and labor time. In addition, environmental pollution is reduced, which also increases the quality and nutritional richness of our food.
6. WORKABILITY
The crumbly structure makes the soil easier to work. Reduced tillage leads to a reduction in the amount of work required by man and machine. This can effectively save time and money. In addition, CO2 emissions are reduced due to the reduction in the amount of fuel required for agricultural equipment. Soil compaction due to driving with heavy equipment is avoided.
7. SOIL HEALTH
Humus interacts closely with the predominant soil fauna (protozoa, annelids, arthropods, insects, snails, vertebrates) and soil flora (bacteria, fungi, algae). Biological activity loosens the soil body and mixes mineral soil with humus. This improves the pore volume and thus the air balance, which in turn promotes the activity of soil organisms. Under optimal conditions, the soil thus provides an optimal habitat for a diverse, species-rich soil life, which through its functions plays an important role in the entire ecosystem.
8. FILTER FUNCTION
Healthy humus-rich soils take over extensive filter and buffer functions against pollutants in water and air and are thus a prerequisite for sufficient and high-quality ground and drinking water.
9. EXEMPLARY ROLE OF AGRICULTURE
By switching to regenerative and humus-building agriculture, cycles are closed again, systems are regenerated and awareness is created for sustainable agriculture. Agriculture thereby actively assumes a role of environmental and climate protection and thus becomes an essential part of the solution to our challenges!
10. CO2 STORAGE
Like the oceans, our agricultural land is one of the largest CO2 reservoirs in the world. The storage of CO2 through photosynthesis in plant matter and soil is one of the most important mechanisms for removing excess CO2 from our atmosphere and at the same time regenerating our soils. Good soils are needed to produce healthy food and feed. Healthy, humus-rich soils thus contribute equally to climate protection and food sovereignty.