Question

Define the terms humus, humification and mineralisation.

Answer 1

Humus is a dark colored organic, colloidal and amorphous component formed by the decomposition of dead organic matter.

Humification is defined as the process of decomposition of dead organic matter leading to the formation of humus.

Mineralisation is the process of further degradation of humus by microbes resulting in the release of inorganic substance into the soil.