Benefits of natural humic acids in farming

Benefits of natural humic acids in farming

Natural humic acids can simultaneously provide several benefits to farmers. Here are

some, that every farmer needs to know about.

Soil health improvement

Humic acids are organic compounds formed from the decomposition of plant and animal

matter. When applied to the soil, they help enhance its structure and fertility. They promote

the aggregation of soil particles, improving soil porosity, water infiltration, and aeration. This

results in healthier soil with improved nutrient holding capacity.

Nutrient retention and availability

Humic acids have a high cation exchange capacity (CEC), which means they can attract and

retain essential nutrients in the soil, preventing them from leaching away. This helps to

increase nutrient availability to plants and reduces the risk of nutrient runoff, which is

beneficial for organic farming practices that emphasise sustainable nutrient management.

Organic matter decomposition

Humic acids stimulate microbial activity in the soil, accelerating the decomposition of organic matter. As a result, nutrients bound in crop residues or other organic materials are released more readily, becoming available to plants for uptake.

Chelation of micronutrients

Humic acids can chelate or bind with micronutrients such as iron, manganese, zinc, and

copper, making them more accessible to plants. This is particularly important in organic

farming, where synthetic micronutrient fertilisers are not used. Improved availability of

micronutrients can enhance plant growth and development.

Soil health improvement

Humic acids have been reported to enhance the tolerance of plants to various environmental

stresses, including drought, salinity, and heavy metal toxicity. By improving root growth and

nutrient uptake, humic acids help plants better withstand adverse conditions, leading to

improved crop resilience.

Soil health improvement

Humic acids can promote the growth and activity of beneficial soil microorganisms. These

microorganisms contribute to nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and overall soil health. Bysupporting a robust soil microbiome, humic acids foster a more sustainable and balanced

ecosystem.

Soil detoxification

Humic acids react with the functional groups of various toxic organic compounds such as

mycotoxins, bacterial toxins, endotoxins, herbicides, persistent substances (PCB and dioxins)

and form chemical bonds. Humic acids have an affinity for toxic heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Hg,

Pb, As and others) and chelate bonds prevent their resorption by plants.