Composting is often referred to as an accelerated humification process.
Approximately 15 to 35% of the carbon originally used to make compost ends up as humus and approximately 60 to 80% of the stable organic matter content in compost or soil is in the form of a humic substance.
Humic substances are made of humins + humic acids + fulvic acids, while the remaining non-humic fraction, 20 to 40%, is still considered humus and of great benefit to nutrient availability for plants and to aggregate stability (which increases water infiltration, percolation and holding capacity; increases soil biology and reduces soil erosion) of soil particles. Humic substances can be extremely stable with a half life ranging from decades to centuries (Brady and Weil, 1996).
Humic acid and fulvic acid is known to enhance seed germination, root establishment and root elongation; however, scientific tests of commercially available humate products have not shown any benefit to plant growth (Brady and Weil, 1996). It is the naturally produced humus fraction of compost that is generally considered to be its most beneficial and valuable component.
Reference: Brady and Weil, 1996. The Nature and Properties of Soils, 11th Edition. Prentice Hall, Inc, Simon and Shuster Co., New Jersey.
Minimum Sample Size Required: 2 cup
Turnaround Time: up to 5 - 7 business days
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Frequently Asked Questions
Hi there! Have some questions about our company? Find the answers below.
What are your business hours?
Our office is open Monday thru Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. We do close for major holidays, so we recommend ordering your testing and sending your sample early if a holiday is coming up. You can always reach us by email. Just send us a message at info@tpslab.com
When will I get my results?
We understand that you need your results as soon as possible. That is why we make sure to begin processing your samples as soon as they arrive at our laboratory. When the results are ready, we will email them to the email address you provided on your submittal form. The list below will give you an idea of our usual turnaround times.
Soil Tests: 5-7 Business days
Water Tests: 5 - 7 Business days
Plants Tests: 24 - 48 Hours
Compost Tests: 7 - 14 Business days
Fertilizer Tests: 3 - 5 Business days
Heavy Metals Test: 7 - 14 Business days
We offer a rush option for an additional 50% of the testing cost, but we would encourage you to give yourself time to test before you get to a point where a rush is needed.
