Glossary - Humus

• All organic constituents of a soil which have proved to be difficult to decompose under the condition prevailing and therefore have become accumulated in a characteristic way.
• Partially decomposed organic matter.
• A general term for the more or less decomposed (plant and animal) residues in the soil, litter therefore being excluded.
• That portion of a soil comprised of semidecomposed organic matter (dead vegetation), the modification resulting primarily from the action of bacteria.
• That portion of a soil comprised of semidecomposed organic matter (dead vegetation), the modification resulting primarily from the action of bacteria.

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