Organic farming is an agricultural system that uses fertilizers of organic origin. In order to increase yields in organic farming, instead of feeding plants, measures are introduced to promote soil fertility, such as the use of natural preparations for the treatment of plants and compost, which promote the action of micro-organisms and the conversion of difficult-to-absorb compounds into soil; provides nourishment of microorganisms by increasing various organic masses in the soil, such as compost and others.

Peat – Source of Humus

Peat is formed by incomplete decomposition and accumulation of bog plant residues, due to the lack of oxygen in waterlogged conditions. High bog peat consists mainly of various mosses. About 95% of the volume of peat moss is pores. The small pores are filled with water, and the coarse – with air, so the roots of the plants are provided with an ideal water and air balance. Peat is formed under anaerobic conditions and is sterile. It is acidic, with low  nutrients content, so adding liming material and composted with organic manure, peat is a high-quality material for the formation of humus in the soil.

Humus – the Basis of Soil Fertility

Humus is formed by  decomposed  organic matter. The content of organic matter increases the buffering capacity of the soil, making it more resistant to changes in pH. Increases microbiological activity in soil and promotes nitrification processes. Humus plays an important role in maintaining and improving soil fertility:

• promotes the formation of soil structure
• increases water infiltration
• improves aeration
• facilitates soil treatment
• reduces soil density
• creates favorable conditions for plant root growth.

Humic Acids

The most important component of peat for organic farming is organic matter. Peat is biochemically stable because it contains sparingly soluble humic acids. Humic acids are soil builders and growth stimulants that form calcium humate and calcium chelate complexes. The mineral part of peat is low in plant nutrients. Peat has antiseptic properties, they are determined by the acid reaction of peat.

Peat Use for Soil Improvement

The volume of pores in the soil and changes after the addition of peat are important. The pores vary in size. Wide pores allow water infiltration and aeration, but narrow pores allow to retain water. It is very important to maintain a balance between air and water for plant health and root development. Read More

Mixing peat to sand and clay soils significantly increases the number of pores containing water and air. The water and oxygen supply of plants is significantly improved. Improving the water supply also results in a more efficient supply of nutrients and faster plant growth.

Under natural conditions, the decomposition process of peat is very slow, but when mixed with soil, it accelerates. Bacteria play an important role in the biodegradation of peat. Bacteria use not only nitrogen but also carbon to synthesize proteins. Nitrogen is bound in bacterial cells for a while. Peat contains significant amounts of cellulose and hemicellulose, so it has a wide carbon to nitrogen ratio. Initially, after the addition of peat, microorganisms bind a lot of nitrogen, especially in the first two months, but later it is released.