Molasses does 2 things for compost/soil. Molasses alone, speeds up the bio breakdown in the compost/soil. And 2, it serves as a never ending Buffet for the microbial life in the soil. Both acts as an easier way for the root system to absorb ALL the nutrition available. The 3rd is the plant can absorb the good things that molasses offers, straight away. Scroll the index in the "dirtdoctor.com" site, for additional info. Add liquid seaweed to the molasses, and you double the growth outcome. Check out "Greensand", Whole ground cornmeal etc., also.