What Are Humic Acids

Humic Acids contain a concentrated complex of humic acids, cultured soil bacteria’s and trace minerals– a combination that works especially well for residue breakdown.

HA’s are complex organic molecules formed by the breakdown of organic matter in the soil They are not considered to be fertilizers per se, but soil enhancers and improvers. HA’s biologically stimulates plant growth, chemically changes the fixation properties of soil and physically modifies the soil. Is rich in organic and mineral substances that are essential to plant growth

Huma-Tec stimulates an organic decay system that uses Winter and Spring moisture to re-establish good soil life, improve soil tilth and convert carbon into plant food. Remember: The source of all carbon is from the decay of organic matter. Since organic matter is 58% carbon, the proper decay of your crop residues adds a priceless fertilizer that can’t be purchased in town!

Where do HA’s come from? HA’s the end result of the composting of ancient plant and animal matter. The presence of humic acids in coals has been known for some time. Low grade coals, called lignite, contain more humic acids than high grade coals. HA’s for agricultural use are mined from deposits in New Mexico, Wyoming, North Dakota and the sea. Mined from both land and sea, humic acid is the end result of the composting of ancient plant and animal matter.

Benefits: A broadcast application of Huma-Tec restores and enlivens tired, worn out soils. This product is a great tool for both no-till and conventional farmers because it not only breaks down crop residues, it also helps put oxygen back in the soil, take out hardpan and open the soil for accepting and storing valuable moisture. Plant uptake is improved for most additives whenever humic acid is included in the mix.

Farms that have already reached optimum fertilization practices see significant improvement in nutrient uptake, plant growth, and yield by incorporating humic acid into their fertilizer program. Humic acid isn’t a cure all, but its benefits are astounding!

HA’s help correct multiple deficiencies in crops by providing high quality micronutrients for healthy plants and better yields Huma-Tec is easily applied with liquid fertilizers and helps retain soluble fertilizers in the root zone for release as needed and also stimulates germination.

What do Humic Acids do?

According to research conducted by Texas A&M’s Professor Emeritus, Dr. Robert Pettit—humic acids produce all of the physical, biological and chemical benefits noted below. Besides Dr. Pettit, the USDA and over 20 major universities have conducted research on humic acids and have concluded that they are a monumental discovery in plant nutrition and soil fertility.

Farmers, who are top yield crop producers certainly don’t take fertility for granted. But have you ever wondered how a corn or soybean plant gets its nutrients?

You can broadcast fertilizer, plow down fertilizer, or foliar spray but nutrients won’t help the crop until they are absorbed by the roots and move into the plant, or move directly into the plant thru the leaves. Up to 100% efficiency can be obtained thru foliar feeding.

There are 3 ways plants can obtain nutrients thru the roots: 1. by contact. 2. mass-flow.

3. Diffusion.

Many miles of roots lie under an acre of corn. But since the roots occupy less than 1 % of the total soil volume. a very small amount of plant food is intercepted by them as they grow thru the soil. In an acre of corn only 6 lb. of N, 2 lb. of P, and 6 lb. of K are removed by contact with the roots, in normal broadcast application of traditional dry fertilizers (Univ. of Purdue study). But with use of select plant food solution, proper energy release material (corn syrup) and select biologicals, the exchangeability of N-P-K can be over tripled with direct seed application. Also, timing and placement of N is very important for top efficiency.

Most nutrients must move to the roots. One way they move is by mass-flow. Plants take up water from the soil. And water that flows thru the soil to the roots contains some nutrients. Mass-flow supplies much of the nitrate N, calcium, sulfate, and magnesium. However, smaller amounts of P & K goes to the roots by mass-flow. Nitrate N, or calcium, for example that move by mass-flow need only be in moist soil that has actively absorbing roots available. It makes little difference how N gets into moist soil. Side-band placement moved N to the roots by mass-flow just as much as plowdown placement. However, in dry conditions, or in soil types low in humus or N03 (nitrate nitrogen), N needs to be banded (3-5″) from the crop at the proper time for optimum use by a good root system.

Most P and K reach the roots by diffusion. Only P and K that is within one-fourth inch of the roots will diffuse toward the root for uptake… This is why a direct seed starter, or row pop up is so important to a young plant. Proper balance of nutrients is vital for healthy and vigorous plants (twice Pas K). P and K need a high root density in most soils to get greater utilization of added fertilizer. Nearly all N can be used by the growing crop thru mass-flow. On the other hand, not all applied P and K is removed because a high percent is too far away from the roots for uptake. Or is the type of nutrient that plants don’t like!

Plants don’t like acid unnatural materials, contaminated mixes with chlorine and other heavy metals. SAVE YOUR MONEY ON heavy NPK applications of commercial fertilizers, and build a healthy soil life.

Roots can also change the pH and salt content of the soil. This in turn will change the availability of nutrients. The form of N used will affect the pH change that occurs. Plants that fed only on ammonium N will make the soil near the root more acid. The best N solution contains both ammonium N (23 %) and urea (52 %) and N03 (25 %).

Why Use Hamates?

1. Biologically stimulates the plant

2. Chemically changes the fixation properties of the soil, improving CEC (carbon exchange capacity).

3. Physically modifies the soil

Biological Benefits

• Boosts growth of desirable soil life
• Increases germination of seed
• Improves plant respiration
• Stimulates root growth
• Stimulates plant enzyme
• Improves nutrient uptake
• Stimulates growth at all stages
• Increases vitamin content of plants
• Acts as an organic catalyst
• Feeds microorganisms that recycle nutrients
• Feeds microorganisms that produce antibiotics
• Increases metabolism within moments after foliar application
• Regulates growth hormone

Chemical Benefits

• Helps convert elements to plant food
• Rich in organic / mineral substances
• Retains soluble fertilizers in root zone
• Has high ion-exchange capacities
• Time releases nutrients as needed
• Stabilizes nitrogen applications
• Breaks down salt complexes
• Buffers pH of soils
• Absorbs toxins like salt water and pesticides. Carbon charges bind
• to the toxic molecule, allowing microbes to break it down

Physical Benefits

• Make soils more friable or crumbly – breaks up hardpan (dense layer of soil)
• Increases water holding capacity (up to 7 times)
• Breaks down crop residues
• Improves soil workability
• Increases aeration of soil
• Builds organic matter
• Reduces soil erosion
• Improves seed bed
• Stabilizes soil temperature

One accepted use for humic acid is in pre-plant or starter phosphorus bands, as it greatly improves phosphate availability even in high lime soils. Plants have a hard time taking up phosphates in high pH soils. Also, phosphorus tie-up is especially critical for annual crops that are planted in the spring when soils are cool. Humic acid chelates soluble calcium and protects the phosphates from the calcium/phosphate interaction. The amine functional groups of humic acid can then absorb the phosphate anions, improving availability for plant uptake.