How to Reduce the Effects of Drought – Restoring Soil Humus for Greater Profitability

Why is the ongoing degradation of soil in Poland a challenge for farmers?

Soil degradation in Poland is a huge agrotechnical challenge because leads to a sharp decrease in the humus content of the substrate, which directly affects the profitability of plant production. Research shows that in the last decade the level of humus in domestic fields has decreased by up to 30%. This phenomenon limits the natural retention properties of the earth and causes increasing problems with the uptake of macroelements by plants. Impoverished sites become susceptible to erosion, compaction of the arable layer and rapid loss of lumpy structure. For the farmer, this means the need to immediately change the management strategy and implement biologicalization methods to save crops.

Where does the rapid decline in soil fertility in crops come from?

The rapid decline in soil fertility is primarily due to long-term use of simplified rotation, deficit of organic fertilisation and intensive mechanical cultivation. Repeated lack of supply of manure or compost prevents the restoration of natural resources of organic matter. Intensive aeration of the substrate during deep plowing accelerates the mineralization of humus instead of promoting its synthesis. Additionally, the constant reliance of agricultural technology solely on chemical mineral fertilisers weakens the microbiological life of the substrate. All these factors systematically destroy the potential of the site and lead to a negative balance of organic substances.

How does autumn and spring drought limit the use of plants’ potential?

Autumn and spring drought limits the potential of plants by drastic inhibition of germination and rooting processes and building side branches in key development phases. The lack of moisture in these critical periods means that the nutrients provided in fertilisers cannot enter the soil solution and remain unavailable to crops. As a result, plants show strong physiological stress, reduce the number of productive shoots and develop a weak root system. 

Regularly recurring periods without rainfall are becoming a permanent rule in the Polish climate, making it impossible to achieve the assumed yield parameters of varieties. The only effective defense against this phenomenon is to build a natural water buffer directly in the ground.

Humus sorption capacity and effective water storage in the soil

The sorption capacity of humus determines the ability of the substrate to retain rainwater and preventing the rapid drying of the arable layer of crops. One unit of humus has several hundred times greater absorption and sorption capacity than an analogous mineral particle, acting in the field like a natural sponge. 

This phenomenon allows you to permanently store moisture from winter rainfall and release it to plants during periods of summer rain deficit. High sorption capacity also protects the supplied nutrients against their irreversible leaching into groundwater. For this reason, the optimal level of humus is the absolute foundation for stable water and fertiliser management on every farm.

How does low organic matter content increase water shortage?

Low organic matter content increases water scarcity in agriculture because deprives the soil of a structure capable of retaining moisture in the arable zone to a depth of 30 centimeters. With the minimum amount of humus at the level of 0,5%, the soil can store only 80 000 liters of water per hectare. Increasing the amount of organic compounds allows you to drastically change these retention parameters of the field:

• The content of organic matter 1,00% makes it possible to retain 160 000 liters of water,
• The content of organic matter 2,00% allows the storage of 320 000 liters of water,
• The content of organic matter 3,00% is the retention capacity at the level of 480 000 liters of water,
• The content of organic matter 5,00% guarantees the retention of as much as 800 000 liters of water per hectare.

It is clear from the above comparison that the sterilized substrate dries out quickly, exposing the plants to direct effects of drought stress after just a few days without rainfall.

Humus as the main natural store: organic nitrogen in the soil

Dental caries is the main natural reservoir, in which organic nitrogen in the soil is safely fixed and protected against volatilization and losses. This element, deposited in humus structures, is not washed away during intense rains, constituting a stable nitrogen bank for plants for the entire growing season. Statistics show that with an organic matter content of 1,00%, the soil can incorporate up to 2400 kg of nitrogen per hectare. An increase in the amount of humus to the level of 3,00% increases these accumulation possibilities to 7200 kg, and with the content of 5,00%, humus is able to retain even 12 000 kg organic nitrogen. This nitrogen becomes available to plants in a safe way, thanks to its gradual release by microorganisms.

How to maintain a stable aggregate structure of soil during drought?

A stable aggregate structure of soils during drought can only be maintained thanks to constant presence of sticky humic substances, which permanently combine loose mineral particles into durable lumps. The lumpy structure of the substrate prevents the formation of a hard crust on the field surface, which allows free gas exchange and penetration by the roots. This structure also facilitates the rapid absorption of even violent storm rainfall, eliminating the phenomenon of surface runoff. Topsoil stabilizes these aggregate connections, preventing the soil from being sprayed by the wind or compacted during the passage of heavy machinery. The protection and construction of this structure requires constant care for a positive humus balance in the soil profile.

Comprehensive reconstruction of humus in the soil using Agrizaz technology

Rebuilding humus in the soil requires the systematic implementation of advanced biological solutions that combine providing ready-made humate acids with beneficial microbial life. The mere presence of organic matter is not enough – the key is its proper transformation into durable humus compounds. The use of proven soil preparations allows for quick reversal of negative trends in soil degradation. The tables below precisely illustrate how the level of humus affects the key parameters of the site: water storage and the ability to incorporate nitrogen in the topsoil layer into 30 cm.

The influence of humus level on water retention and nitrogen retention

Organic matter content	Possibility of storing water (l/ha)	Possibility of incorporating nitrogen (kg/ha)
0,50%	80 000 l	No stable bond
1,00%	160 000 l	2400 kg
2,00%	320 000 l	4800 kg
3,00%	480 000 l	7200 kg
4,00%	640 000 l	9600 kg
5,00%	800 000 l	12 000 kg

Precise management of these parameters and regular use of biostimulation allows the farm to be fully independent of sudden weather anomalies.

Humification of harvest residues – how to accelerate straw decomposition?

Humification of crop residues takes place efficiently and without nitrogen losses only when: this process is stimulated by specialized strains of soil microorganisms. Straw left in the field after a combine harvest of cereals is a huge bank of free nutrients, which, without appropriate biostimulation, slowly decomposes minerals instead of humification. The use of professional humate extracts accelerates the synthesis of complex organic compounds, transforming the plant mass into durable humus. This action prevents the occurrence of toxic putrefactive processes and blocks the development of fungal pathogens in the substrate. In this way, the farmer gains a free and safe source of energy for subsequent crops in the crop rotation.

Positive bacterial microflora and the release of nutrients

Positive bacterial microflora is responsible for intense release of nutrientsthat have been permanently blocked in the mineral structures of the soil. Lactic acid bacteria, actinomycetes and nitrogen-fixing organisms mineralize compounds unavailable to plants, transforming them into forms fully available to the root system. The activity of these microorganisms allows the release of phosphorus and potassium reserves, which radically increases the effectiveness of traditional NPK fertilisation. Microflora creates a protective barrier around the roots, which stimulates plants’ resistance to environmental stresses. Supporting the population of these beneficial organisms is the easiest way to permanently increase the fertility of any type of site.

Summary – change the soil’s humus balance to a positive one and increase profits

Switching to biological methods of field fertility management is the only effective strategy change the negative soil humus balance into a positive one. Rebuilding the humus layer brings immediate economic benefits by optimizing water management and radically reducing fertiliser losses on all types of soil. Products from the Agrizaz portfolio, based on a unique combination of humic acids with microbial life, guarantee stable and high yields even in years with intense droughts. 

The full offer of certified soil improvers and organic-mineral fertilisers can be found on our official website https://www.agrizaz.pl/.

M.Eng. Damian Gawroński

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How to rebuild humus in the soil?

Effective reconstruction of humus in the soil requires regular supply of organic carbon through proper management of crop residues and the use of concentrated preparations containing humic acids. Humate compounds introduced into the substrate initiate humification processes, combining organic matter into durable humus complexes. This process should be absolutely supported by limiting deep plowing, which excessively aerates and degrades the soil structure. It is also crucial to regularly introduce catch crops and catch crops rich in biomass.

Does humus improve soil structure?

Yes, humus directly improves the aggregate structure of soils, acting as a natural binder connecting loose mineral particles into stable lumps. Thanks to this, the substrate becomes loose, optimally aerated and resistant to the formation of a hard surface crust. This structure facilitates the free absorption of sudden rainfall and minimizes the risk of wind and water erosion. This also provides ideal conditions for deep penetration of the ground by the plant root system.

What to do to make the soil humus?

In order for the soil to be humus-rich, the negative balance of organic substances must be changed into a positive one by cyclical application of beneficial bacterial microflora and humic acids. Soil microorganisms accelerate the decomposition of residual straw and transform it into durable humus, instead of allowing it to oxidize quickly. An important element is to refrain from intensive chemical fertilisation, which destroys the biological life of the substrate. Additionally, it is worth regularly using long-acting organic-mineral fertilisers.

Is humus in the soil good?

Yes, humus in the soil is a key element determining the fertility of the site, because it is the main store of water, organic nitrogen and easily available nutrients. The high humus content protects crops against the effects of spring and autumn drought, stabilizing water management on the farm. It also increases the sorption capacity of the substrate, which prevents irreversible washing out of expensive mineral fertilisers. It is a fundamental indicator of the biological health and economic viability of any field.