About the humates

About the humates

Soil includes organic and inorganic substances. The presence of soil organic matter (ORP) is the main feature that distinguishes it from the parent rock, and the quantity and nature of ORP largely determines the direction of soil formation processes, the genetic, biochemical, chemical and physical properties of soils and their fertility.

The organic matter of the soil includes the entire organic mass, including humus and undecomposed remains of plants and living organisms. The process of formation of ORP consists of two stages: the decomposition of the initial organic residues and the formation of humus (humification).

HUMUS is a complex product of the transformation of the remains of living and plant organisms into large organic molecules that are much more resistant to further decomposition than the original biomass. Humus has a huge impact on the plant and animal life. Humus consists of humic substances – natural organic compounds that determine the natural fertility of the soil and its properties. Humic substances can be divided into three main fractions: humins (D), humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FC). This subdivision is arbitrary and is based on the solubility of each fraction in water, adjusted for different pH levels.

HUMIC ACIDS (HA) Are high-molecular organic compounds that, accumulated in the soil and gradually passing into soluble forms, are consumed by plants and play a fundamental role in their development. HA serve as a source of nutrients, growth stimulants, enzymes, vitamins and many other biologically active substances necessary for the growth and development of plants, as well as to strengthen their protective functions to the action of adverse factors. They easily attach inorganic microelements and transport them to plants. Analysis of extracts extracted from natural HA shows the presence of more than 60 different macro- and microelements bound into forms that can be used by various plant and living organisms. In addition, GK improve the assimilation of the basic elements of mineral nutrition of plants, maintain the structure of the soil,

The bulk of the HA is in the soil in a bound state and insoluble in water. At the same time, the root system of plants consumes only nutritious aqueous solutions, and in order for HA to become available to plants, they must pass into a water-soluble form. This process takes place in the soil with the participation of soil microorganisms by replacing the hydrogen atoms in the HA molecule with alkali metal ions to form water-soluble humic acid salts – humates. Due to the complete solubility of humates in water, humic acids in this form easily penetrate plants with soil solution and exhibit high biological activity even in very small doses. Thanks to the humates the plants germinate, develop mature and bear fruit, completing their life cycle with deciduous litter.

HA in the soil can be compared with the storeroom, which stores a stock of vital nutrients and stimulants, issued to the plant in the form of humates as they need them.

Humic acids are substances of a very complex structure, consisting of separate repeating fragments linked together. The hypothetical structural formula for such a fragment is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 Structural formula of the humic acid fragment

FULVOCIDES  is a mixture of weak aliphatic and aromatic organic acids that are soluble in water at all pHs (acidic, neutral and alkaline). Their composition and form are very variable. The molecular weight of the FK (1,000 – 10,000) is less than that of the HA, and the oxygen content is twice as high. Because of the relatively small size, the PK molecules can easily penetrate the roots of the plant, stems and leaves, bringing in useful micronutrients. Foliar fertilizers used in the form of aerosols and containing FC in the form of chelates with microelements, at certain stages of plant growth can be an effective means of increasing its productivity. When foliar treatment of plants FC deliver trace elements to the metabolic sites of cells. They are compatible with the plant and thus are not phytotoxic when applied at relatively low concentrations.

HUMAs are natural organic substances that are formed in the form of water-soluble salts of humic acids. They play a fundamental role in the ecosystem “water – soil – plant” and in the biosphere of the earth. Humates, having full solubility, provide transportation of HA to the plant, accelerate humification and enzyme production and activate the functional activity of plant phytohormones that regulate all the key processes of their life. They are not a random product in the chain of organic residues, but the result of long trophic (food) relationships between plants and soil microorganisms, a necessary link in the evolution of living and inanimate matter, the most important factor in the sustainability of life processes.

For the first time, the effectiveness of Humates as plant growth stimulants was proved more than 50 years ago in Kherson University by Lydia Khristeva. Isolating humic acids from the usual soil as a solution of sodium salts, she poured them plants and found that they accelerated their growth, forming a powerful root system. Now humic compounds are actively developed by many developed countries. They are produced in Germany, USA, Italy, Australia and many other countries. Their use is actively expanding, especially in connection with the desire to make agriculture the most environmentally friendly, efficient and economical.

The main direction of using Humates so far is crop production and agriculture. But, thanks to unique chemical properties, their application is extremely diverse and constantly expanding.

Applications Humates:

• presowing seed treatment (stimulation of germination and protection against diseases);
• stimulation of plant growth and development (bioprotective function);
• production of humated fertilizers (including microelement, optimal for plants, forms);
• production of biologically active food additives in the diet of livestock and poultry;
• use in industrial technological cycles (mining and drilling muds);
• eco-protective function (immobilization and inactivation of ecotoxicants);
• Medicine: antifungal drugs, superior to many traditional antitumor and antioxidant drugs;
• remediation of contaminated soils and water (oil pollution, etc.);
• use in cheap treatment systems;
• soil reclamation.
• anti-stress function;
• Food supplements for humans;
• use as a synergetics (strengthening the effect of other drugs);
• to activate vital activity of useful microorganisms (compost production, acceleration of humus formation, etc.).
• for the production of organic fertilizers;
• for the production of fertilizers with microorganisms;
• to accelerate growth and maturation.
• in sports medicine (as an energetician, for resetting and gaining weight, strengthening functions);
• as food additives for drinks (Coca-Cola, etc.);
• to accelerate and improve processes in the food industry (fermentation processes in the production of fermented milk products, beer, wine, etc.)