Full explanation
Humus content per DSTU 4289:2004 is measured by the Tyurin-Kononova method. One percent of humus in the top 0–30 cm holds ~150–200 m³ water/ha and ~3–5 t/ha of mineral nutrients. Main causes of loss in Ukraine (1985–2025): (1) aggressive mouldboard ploughing, (2) wheat-sunflower monoculture, (3) absence of organic amendments (manure application fell from ~8–10 t/ha in 1990 to <1 t/ha in 2025), (4) stubble burning. Recovery: no-till or strip-till, cover crops, rotation with perennial grasses (3–5 years of alfalfa builds 0.2–0.4% humus), and application of 20–40 t/ha manure or 5–10 t/ha compost. EU CAP eco-schemes subsidize carbon farming at EUR 40–90/t CO₂-eq. Humus monitoring is mandated under Ukraine's Law on Soils.