4. Humus are complex natural organic compounds that are formed in soils
from plant residues, by a process of "humification". Humus materials are
complex aggregate of brown to dark colored amorphous substances,
which have originated during the decomposition of plant and animal
residues by microorganisms, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, in
soils, composts, peat bogs, and water basins.
What is Humus
Humus contains the minerals that were part of the bodies of the
dead plants and animals.
It contains nutrients (minerals such as, nitrates, phosphates,
potassium, copper, zinc dissolved in water) that plants need to be
healthy. Without these nutrients plants will not flourish.
11. What has led to the
destruction of this
soil life?
12.
13. The Green Revolution
Refers to a series of research, development, and technology transfer initiatives,
occurring between the 1940s and the late 1960s, that increased agriculture
production worldwide, particularly in the developing world, beginning most
markedly in the late 1960s. The initiatives, led by Norman Borlaug, the "Father of
the Green Revolution" credited with saving over a billion people from starvation,
involved the development of high-yielding varieties of cereal grains, expansion of
irrigation infrastructure, modernization of management techniques, distribution
of hybridized seeds, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to farmers.
14. In 1960, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines with Ford and
Rockefeller Foundations established IRRI (International Rice Research Institute). A
rice crossing between Dee-Geo-woo-gen and Peta was done at IRRI in 1962. In 1966,
one of the breeding lines became a new cultivar, IR8. IR8 required the use of
fertilizers and pesticides, but produced substantially higher yields than the
traditional cultivars. Annual rice production in the Philippines increased from 3.7 to
7.7 million tonnes in two decades. The switch to IR8 rice made the Philippines a rice
exporter for the first time in the 20th century. But the heavy pesticide use reduced
the number of fish and frog species found in rice paddies.
The Green Revolution
16. The Effect of Synthetic Fertilizer
•Soil acidification
•Trace mineral depletion
•Impacts on micro organism (mycorrhiza)
•Contamination with impurities
•Water pollution
•Health Hazard
•High energy consumption
•Contribution to climate change
31. KING HUMUS PLUS (HUMATES)
Humates (also known as Leonardite or Oxidized lignite)
Humates are highly compressed, natural organic substance, the decayed
remains of tropical rain forests which existed millions of years ago. Humate
deposits were once buried deeply but have been exhumed to near-surface
conditions and oxidized by bacterial action in exactly the same way as humus
is formed in rich agricultural soils. Thus, humates provide a concentrated
source of naturally-occurring humus to your soil. Humates have a high humic
acid content (humic acid is one of the most biochemically active elements in
humus). The minerals and trace elements contained in humates and in the
soil are readily available to plants through organic complexing. Adding
Humates is the most efficient way to increase the humus content of soil, as it
is highly concentrated and much easier to apply than any other form of humic
matter.
Using humates restores the natural balance in soil necessary for optimal plant
growth.
32. What is Leonardite?
Formation of this highly oxidized
lignite was called leonardite after the
geologist, Dr. Leonard, who discovered
it. This material was more highly
oxidized than other lignites and
consists of as much as 85% humic
acids.
Leonardite as a source of humic acids
for crop production was discovered in
the 1960 s. Researchers at the US′
Bureaus of Mines began to experiment
with applications of crushed
leonardite to agricultural soils. They
found that applications of the
material. at rates of 100 to 2,000 per
acre, increased yields of potatoes,
sugar beets and other crops.
33. Millions of years ago large bodies of water existed where huge
quantities or organic matter were deposited and began to slowly
decompose. Over the year, giant peat bogs were formed. Through
geologic activity many of these bogs were buried. After burial, the
organic material began to lose oxygen and be transformed in coal under
heat and pressure. Those deposits that were never buried deep enough
to undergo the complete transformation into coal, became leonardite
(Oxidized Lignite). Today these leonardite (Oxidized Lignite) ores exist as
stratified layers of brown to black coal-like material underneath an
overburden of inorganic soil or rock.
Where Does it Come From?