Incorporating humic acids into crops has multiple benefits to improve soil quality and strengthen roots. Discover the characteristics of these substances that make up organic matter.
Agricultural fields tend to have less and less organic matter to nourish and enhance the development of plantations. This is due to various factors, such as overexploitation of the land, the use of chemical products or deforestation. Therefore, humic substances become essential for plant growth.
These are the main substrates that make up most of the organic matter. They originate from a series of chemical and biological phenomena in which small molecules from organic waste are mixed.
Discover the great benefits that humic substances have for soil fertility and plant growth.
What are humic substances?
Humic acids are formed from a mixture of molecules in a process known as humification. Along with photosynthesis, It is one of the most important biological instances regarding the development of plants. It occurs in the depth of the soil, from organic remains of plants and vegetables accumulated for a long time.
They make up between 65% and 75% of organic matter, which gives it the ability to transform soil fertility. They can be present in composts, in peat and in leonardite. It is from this last organic matter that humus or humic substances with the best quality for commercialization are usually extracted.
Characteristics of humic substances
Humic substances are the result of a microbiological process with complex characteristics. In general, they are divided into four fractions:
- Fulvic acids.
- Humic acids.
- Hymatomelanic acids.
- exercise.
They have a black or brown color and the classification depends on the solubility of its components. Regarding the plants, humic acids act more slowly, but sustainably. Meanwhile, the fulvics do it faster, although with less persistence, and have a better chance of being absorbed by the leaves and roots.
Benefits of humic substances for plants
Using humic substances to stimulate plant growth is effective and helps reduce the use of industrial fertilizers and pesticides. This is confirmed by various scientific studies, such as this one carried out by the Agrarian University of Havana.
There it is determined that humic substances are a viable alternative to combat the consequences of climate change with natural and environmentally friendly products. Humus plays a central role, both in soil fertility and in vegetation nutrition.
Absorption
One of the main benefits that humic substances have on plants is improvement in nutrient absorption. This allows a more efficient development of the vegetation and favors the physiological processes.
Endurance
The most frequent problems to which crops are exposed are the proliferation of pests, diseases and climatic adversities. Humic substances increase the natural resistance of plants about these setbacks.
Estate
Root development is also favored if the quality of organic matter is improved. Humus stimulates respiration and strengthens vertical growth of the roots.
quality and appearance
Beyond boosting general growth, quality crops are also achieved. The color, flavor and size of the vegetation is improved. On the other hand, appearance and aesthetics are also favored.
Seeds
Humic substances improve and increase seed germination. The result is greater vegetative development and superior yield..
Benefits of humic substances for soils
Constant agricultural work, together with the use of industrial and inorganic fertilizers, among other reasons, are leaving the soil with a low organic matter content. This generates a loss of productivity, so the use of humic substances appears as a solution with multiple benefits for soil quality:
- Estate: improve and strengthen their growth.
- Erosion: They work against soil erosion.
- Toxic substances: reduce their presence in the soil.
- pH: They contribute to the regulation of the acidity level of the soil.
- Nutrients: favor the assimilation of macro and micronutrients.
- Quality: contribute to the quality of chemicals such as zinc, iron and copper.
- Microorganisms: stimulate their presence and microbial activity in general.
- Absorption: they improve energy absorption and facilitate floor heating.
In sandy soils, humic substances contribute to a greater retention of nutrients and water, covering the sand particles. On the other hand, in clayey soils they increase aeration, making the substrate soften. This increases the intake of nutrients and water.
Incorporation of humic substances into crops
With all the benefits they represent for soils and plants, there is no doubt that incorporating these substances is an advantage for crops. The yields improve quickly and the soils, little by little, are gaining in quality.
If a more direct improvement in soil conditions is sought, an application with a higher presence of humic acids is recommended. On the contrary, if you prefer to act on the plant, the solution should prioritize fulvic acids.
With respect to market prices, there are cheaper options, generally with residues of plant originand other more expensive ones. The latter correspond to mine extractions, where the substances remained in formation for hundreds of years and come from leonardite.
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