Natural humic acids can simultaneously provide several benefits to organic farmers. Here are some, that every farmer needs to know about:
1 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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 Improving root growth and nutrient uptake
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.
6 Biological activity stimulation
Humic acids can promote the growth and activity of beneficial soil microorganisms. These microorganisms contribute to nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and overall soil health. By supporting a robust soil microbiome, humic acids foster a more sustainable and balanced ecosystem.
7 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.
