Abstract

                                It is a matter of common knowledge that only a fertile soil can ensure a vigorous growth of crops and produce bumper yields. A number of factors like soil texture, mineral elements etc., go to make up this fertility but by far the most important of these is the presence of the requisite quantity of organic matter, which in other words is known as humus. In nature, this precious materal is added to the soil by the gradual accumulation of plant and animal residues which are in turn converted into humus by certain natural agencies.

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