Some Recent Developments in Humus Research

Summary A survey is given of some recent contributions made by investigators to unravel the problems about humus, its origin, synthesis and role in the inter-relationships between plant and soil. The review should bring the interested agriculturist in contact with research work done in specialized institutions by a well-trained staff with efficient apparatus and equipment, familiar with the most modern methods. The literature in this field is immense and, therefore, such a synopsis does not postulate to be comprehensive, but it certainly aids to look over the whole field of humus research, especially since the investigations of the last decade about the direct chemical influence of humus-substances on the metabolism of the higher plants show the whole humus problem in new light.