HUMICO is a humus solution

Humus bio-molecules help plants retain water and ionised nutrients obtained from organic biomass, compost or other fertilizers. Humic acids contain positive ions (cations) which are more easily absorbed by negatively charged plant roots, thus improving the transfer of micronutrients to a plant’s nutrient system. Addition of organic compounds is definitely a great way to remineralize soil which is depleted or in which there are no chemical reactions happening. For example, sandy soils with poor cation exchange capacity (CEC) are bad at retaining nutrient cations, and these cations can easily get washed down to deeper layers of the soil where they become unavailable for plants.

Decomposition of compost and other organic matter is not an effective way to increase soil’s humus levels. Compost decomposes quickly, producing mineral substances and releasing carbon in the atmosphere as CO2. On the other hand, humus substances consist of stable, long-lasting molecules. On average, humus components decompose within approximately 1140 to 1235 years (based on radiocarbon dating, using undisturbed soil samples) depending on humic acid’s molecular mass.

In order to actually restore soil, improve its CEC, layer thickness and porosity, increase water retention capacity and thus create a healthier environment for all plants, their roots and microorganisms, humus needs to be used. Humus is a soil chemical that consists of amino acids.

The amount of calories in compost can be scientifically measured. Even in composts of highest quality, it is less than 5 percent. Moreover, you cannot really expect perfect amino acid ratio in compost due to variability in production quality control and ingredients, thus it is unlikely that all amino acids will completely turn into humus. Compost and other organic soil supplements are not reliable means to increase soil’s humus content.

According to scientific studies, one of the most obvious benefits of humus is related to clay porosity. Humus aggregation makes clay more porous, soft and aerobic, with better drainage properties, thus allowing the roots of all plants to grow deeper. It is important to note that this also increases soil’s pH level.

Company values

Humico team is diligently working on adding value to Latvia’s national treasure — peat, which is one of the most valuable resources for soil improvement. A product enhancing plant growth and increasing yield, meanwhile improving soil quality and reducing its degradation, is being offered in the market.