humus Hear it!

humus¹ Definition

hu·mus (hyo̵̅o̅məs, yo̵̅o̅-)

noun

a brown or black substance resulting from the partial decay of plant and animal matter; organic part of the soil

Etymology: L, earth, ground, soil < IE *ĝhom-: see homo

humus² Definition

humus (huməs, ho̵oməs)

noun

hummus

humus Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • drain: They prefer a well drained humus rich soil in a sunny position or light shade.
  • add: In time their decay adds humus to the soil, which becomes enriched by the increase of soluble plant foods.
  • produce: Fungi are essential in breaking down dead organic matter to produce the humus which is needed for good soil structure - saprophytes.
  • contain: At equilibrium on the same soil type, a grassland soil contains more humus than an arable soil.
  • prefer: Prefers moist humus rich soil in full sun to partial shade.
  • like: It likes a fertile, humus rich, well drained soil and is happy in sun or partial shade.

Adjective modifier

  • fertile: Outdoors, grow in light moderately fertile humus rich well drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.
  • moist: It fares best in moist, humus rich, acid soil in deep or partial shade.
  • rich: What remains is a rich humus which is used in the fields to boost food production.
  • more: Under the same farming system a clay soil will have more humus than a sandy soil.
  • organic: When you have a new garden you can work organic humus, which should be done anyway, to loosen the poor soil.
  • deep: It grows well in a good deep humus rich soil with added leaf mold, preferably neutral to acid.

Modifies a noun

  • layer: Lower down, in the humus layer, soil molds have replaced it.
  • content: For any given composting process, the humus content of a compost mix increases to a nearly constant value.
  • tank: This biological activity produces a humus sludge which settles out in special humus tanks.
  • material: C Add any humus material or spent compost, peat if nothing else to hand.
  • level: In general, in the UK temperate climate, soil humus levels increase or decrease only slowly.

Noun used with modifier

  • soil: In general, in the UK temperate climate, soil humus levels increase or decrease only slowly.