Question

Answer the following: [5 MARKS]

1) Why does topsoil have much more humus than subsoil?

2) What is the importance of humus to the soil?

Answer 1

Part 1: 2 Marks
Part 2: 3 Marks

1)The decay of the remains of plants and animals that forms humus mostly happens on top of the soil. Therefore the humus formed remains mostly on the top soil.

2) The importance of humus is as follows:
a) Humus controls and regulates plant growth.
b) The better the humus content in the soil, the healthier and more productive the soil will be.
c) Good humus also reduces wind erosion of soil.