{"id":14051,"date":"2025-01-15T13:14:29","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T18:14:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/montysplantfood.com\/?p=14051"},"modified":"2025-01-15T13:14:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T18:14:31","slug":"humic-substances-broad-scope-and-agricultural-applications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/montysplantfood.com\/es\/humic-substances-broad-scope-and-agricultural-applications\/","title":{"rendered":"Humic Substances: Broad Scope and Agricultural Applications"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Alexander Shulgin, PhD Chief Scientist, Monty\u2019s Plant Food<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Visi\u00f3n general<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humic acids, fulvic acids, humin, and their derivatives are gaining popularity in agriculture<\/a> as fertilizer additives, soil conditioners, biostimulants, and agents for soil and crop protection and remediation. All of these substances belong to the family of humic substances<\/a> (HS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical Context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research on humic substances likely began in 1786 when scientist F.K. Achard (Archard, 1786) published an article in “Chemische Annalen,” describing his experiments: \u201c…caustic soda solution resulted in black, brown material extraction from peat …and the mineral acid addition to the extract resulted in black insoluble sediment…\u201d. This experiment revealed a fundamental property of humic acids (HA): Humic acid is soluble in alkali solutions and insoluble in acidic solutions. Fulvic acids, another significant component of humic substances, are soluble in both alkaline and acidic solutions, whereas humin is insoluble in both under normal conditions. Historically, humic substance compounds have been determined based on their solubility in alkaline and acidic solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soil Organic Matter and Humic Substances<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HS are the main compounds of soil humus, which are the remains of organic matter mineralization and humification in nature. They are organic materials by origin and organic mineral materials by composition. The diverse origins of organic matter and varying physical-chemical, biochemical, and microbiological processes in the biosphere over geological time have resulted in the formation of humic acid, fulvic acid, and humin with different compositions, structures, properties, and functions. Despite extensive research, this class of stable organic matter in the biosphere, including soil, remains poorly understood due to its inconsistent molecular and fractional compositions, irregular cross-linked polymeric structures, numerous functional groups, and the presence of numerous mineral compounds (Stevenson, 1994).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soil Organic Matter, Soil Organic Carbon, and Humus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soil organic matter<\/a> (SOM) and soil organic carbon (SOC) are critical indicators of soil health. Soil organic matter encompasses all organic materials in soil, ranging from fresh organic matter to stable humus. Humus, a stable component of soil organic matter primarily composed of humic substances<\/a>, plays a pivotal role due to its colloidal nature, high absorption capacity, nutrient storage, bioavailability, and biogeochemical activity. Methods for determining SOM and SOC are well-developed, involving deep chemical oxidation or high-temperature combustion of organic matter. A strong correlation exists between soil organic matter and soil organic carbon. However, the complexity of determining humus content and the necessity of analyzing its composition, properties, and activities have impeded widespread adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agricultural sector’s increasing demand for detailed soil characterization and the characterization of raw materials and commercial products containing \u00c1cidos h\u00famicos<\/a> y \u00c1cidos f\u00falvicos<\/a> are driving advancements in this field. The common origin of soil humus and raw materials containing humic substances provides an objective basis for research and the development of effective commercial products. The concept and practices involved in developing such products include activating the Humic Acids and utilizing efficient processes to break down large biological molecules (biopolymers with long chains) into smaller chains or individual molecules and ionizing their functional groups. Ionized biopolymers exhibit properties of electrolytes\/polyelectrolytes, making them significantly more biogeochemically active and beneficial for soil and crops compared to native soil organic matter, including humus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humus: The Lifeblood of Soil Ecosystems<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most commercial fertilizers, biologicals, biostimulants, labile carbon products, and engineered seeds provide growers with transient and recurring benefits, Monty\u2019s Activated Humic Technology<\/a> offers cumulative advantages. This technology adds a stable carbon pool to the soil, restructuring and improving its foundational system over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concept of labile and stable carbon pools can be likened to a business analogy: labile carbon functions like ready cash flow, derived from the decomposition of fresh crop residue or microbial biomass, supporting the soil food web. In contrast, humus represents the carbon capital of the system, consisting of accumulated organic matter. This capital enhances critical chemical and physical aspects of the soil (Weil and Brady, 2017).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humus and Clay: Nature’s Master Architects of Soil Structure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individual soil particles have minimal ability to retain water and nutrients. Without a binding agent, they can be easily eroded by wind and water, leading to soil degradation. To form stable soil aggregates, these particles need to be bound together by glue-like organic agents. Soil aggregates, which consist of solids and cavities, are essential for almost all soil functions that support life. The spaces within and between these aggregates are where crucial biological and chemical processes occur. Humus and clay particles are the primary natural agents responsible for building soil structure. These tiny particles act as contact bridges between larger soil particles, playing a crucial role in forming a strong soil structure. This structure, with its various pore sizes and shapes, hosts different biogeochemical processes, water, nutrients, and organisms. This is the key to the cumulative benefits of Monty\u2019s humic products. Humus, like clay, has surface charges that attract and hold nutrient ions and water molecules. However, humus far surpasses clay in its capacity to hold nutrients and water. Furthermore, humus may contain components that enhance the availability of micronutrients to plants and even stimulate certain plant processes akin to hormones. Even small quantities of humus can significantly enhance soil fertility and promote robust plant growth (Chen and Aviad, 1990).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Activated Humic Boost Nutrient Cycling and Ion Exchange?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Activated humic substances facilitate nutrient cycling and ion exchange through a series of chemical and biochemical processes. These substances promote the release of nutrients from solid forms into the soil solution, thereby replenishing essential elements for plant growth. Both clay and humus, in their smallest colloidal-sized particles, carry negative and positive charges that attract oppositely charged ions from the soil solution, effectively adsorbing them as exchangeable ions. This ion exchange mechanism is critical for making nutrients available to plant roots and is regarded by many scientists as one of nature’s fundamental chemical reactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clay and humus domains interact by forming bridges with each other and with fine silt particles, creating the smallest groupings within the soil aggregate hierarchy. These interactions, supported by specific polyvalent cations such as Ca\u00b2\u207a, Fe\u00b2\u207a, and Al\u00b3\u207a, along with humus, contribute significantly to the long-term stability of microaggregates. Humus, with its notable cation exchange capacity (CEC), plays a pivotal role in cation exchange reactions, particularly in the A horizon of soils. For instance, in a clayey Ultisol with a pH of 5.5, containing 2.5% humus and 30% kaolinite, approximately 75% of the CEC is attributed to humus (Weil and Brady, 2017). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boosting Plant Vitality: Harnessing the Power of Humic and Fulvic Acids<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The addition of small quantities of fulvic and humic acids to soils has been shown to improve various aspects of plant growth. Research indicates that applying mined humic substances can boost plant growth by enhancing the availability of micronutrients, particularly iron and zinc. Some researchers propose that humic substances may function akin to plant hormones, regulating specific growth processes such as cell elongation and lateral root initiation (Table 1). Various plant hormones, including indoleacetic acid (IAA) and isopentenyladenosine (cytokinin), have been identified in humic substances extracted from alkaline solutions of mined lignite (a coal-like carbonaceous material) and earthworm casts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table 1: Direct Effects of Humic Substances on Plant Growth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Effect on Plant Growth<\/strong><\/td>Humic Substance<\/strong><\/td>Concentration Range, mg\/L<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Accelerated water uptake and enhanced germination of seeds<\/strong><\/td>Humic acid<\/td>1\u2013100<\/td><\/tr>
Stimulated root initiation and elongation<\/strong><\/td>Humic and fulvic acids<\/td>50\u2013300<\/td><\/tr>
Enhanced root cell elongation<\/strong><\/td>Humic acid<\/td>5\u201325<\/td><\/tr>
Enhanced growth of plant shoots and roots<\/strong><\/td>Humic and fulvic acids<\/td>50\u2013300<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: Chen and Aviad (1990 adapted from Weil and Brady (2017)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harmony in Soil: Embracing Humus and Clay as Nature’s Vital Nourishers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humus typically contributes 50-90% of the cation-adsorbing capacity of mineral surface soils. Similar to clays, humus colloids retain nutrient cations (such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium) in forms readily exchangeable for plants, yet are resistant to leaching by percolating water (Tahir et al., 2011). Through its cation exchange capacity and the presence of acid and base functional groups, humic substances also significantly contribute to soil pH buffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organic acids decompose soil minerals, enhancing nutrient release as exchangeable cations, which can lead to long-term savings on fertilizer costs (Zhao and Naeth, 2022). Low molecular weight organic acids, polysaccharides, and specific polar biomolecules are particularly effective in attracting and chelating cations like Fe\u00b3\u207a, Cu\u00b2\u207a, Zn\u00b2\u207a, and Mn\u00b2\u207a from mineral surfaces, forming stable organomineral complexes. This enhances the availability of these metals to plants as micronutrients in soluble, chelated forms. In highly acidic soils, humics mitigate aluminum toxicity by binding aluminum ions into non-toxic complexes. Furthermore, both clay and humus colloids adsorb ammonia gas, with greater losses occurring where these colloids are scarce or when ammonia remains near the soil surface during drying, particularly in sandy, alkaline, or calcareous soils. Thus, the potential for significant ammonia losses exists in such conditions, especially when ammonia-generating materials are not properly managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Influence on Soil Bio-Physical Properties<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humus contributes to the dark brown to black coloration of surface horizons. It enhances granulation and aggregate stability, primarily through bacterial polysaccharides and fungal glomalin-associated glycoproteins formed during decomposition. Within humus, protected particulate organic matter, char, and sorbed biomolecules collectively reduce the plasticity, cohesion, and stickiness of clayey soils, facilitating easier manipulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soils treated with Monty\u2019s Activated Humic demonstrate improved water availability for plants. Humics reorganize soil particles, expanding the spectrum of soil pores from macropores, which enhance water infiltration, to micropores, which boost water-holding capacity. This effect is particularly beneficial in sandy soils, where the addition of activated humic has been shown to enhance water retention (Qin and Leskovar, 2018). Enhanced water retention is a primary rationale for amending and top-dressing sand-based golf greens with peat. However, extensive mining of peat from sphagnum wetlands is environmentally unsustainable. Therefore, dry and liquid humics derived from diverse organic wastes represent a more environmentally responsible alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guardians of Health: How Humics Purify Our Food<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contaminant molecules can be ensnared within the nanopores of soil, residing in humus and clay colloids. These pores are large enough to accommodate the contaminant molecules but prohibit the entry of bacteria or their extracellular enzymes (Simmler et al., 2013). Additionally, contaminant molecules may diffuse into or adhere to the solid structure of a humus particle, effectively isolating them from biological interactions. Some pollutants may even become buried beneath precipitated mineral coatings, further shielding them from biological processes (Farhangi-Abriz and Nikpour-Rashidabad, 2017). Pollutant molecules entrapped by these mechanisms may present minimal risk of environmental mobility or biological toxicity, despite their potentially high overall concentration in the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Development and Manufacture of Humic Products<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same nature of soil humus origin and humic substance-bearing raw materials provides an objective basis for research and development of effective commercial products. The concept and practice of product development and manufacture include the activation of humic acids. The most effective processes involve cutting large biological molecules (biopolymers with long chains) into smaller chains or individual molecules and ionizing their functional groups. Ionized biopolymers, which have features of electrolytes\/polyelectrolytes, are much more bio-geochemically active and beneficial for soil and crops than native soil organic matter, including humus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organic chemistry has traditionally focused on researching bio-organic substances that are regular biopolymers with consistent compositions and properties, regular structures, etc. Natural bio-organic substances are synthesized according to genetic codes, resulting in almost individual substances (i.e. polysaccharides, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, etc.). In contrast, humic substances comprise bio-thermodynamically stable organic molecules with aromatic and aliphatic carbon chains, volumetric\/3-dimensional structures, hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups of atoms, cationic and anionic sites, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, and silica, as well as the finest clay minerals existing in the biosphere. In many aspects, humic substances match the characteristics of natural biopolymers. The application of classic (including organic) chemistry to the study of polymers resulted in polymer chemistry, which is well-developed and widely accepted. The application of chemistry to the study of biological processes resulted in biochemistry. Polymer chemistry and biochemistry are applicable to some degree for HS characterization as biopolymers with and without electrolytic properties and biological activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organic chemistry recognizes biopolymers with electrolytic properties as polyelectrolytes. Polyelectrolytes are ionized biopolymers with varying rates of ionization of their functional groups (carboxylic, phenolic, etc.). Depending on the rate of functional group ionization, humic substances can be characterized as biopolymers with non-ionized and ionized functional groups. Non-ionized biopolymers (NIB) are insoluble in water, while ionized biopolymers (IB) are soluble in water with electrolytic properties. The range between them can be described by terms like Polyelectrolyte Enhanced Biopolymers (PEB), with solubility ranging from non-ionized biopolymers (insoluble) to ionized biopolymers (well soluble).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The characteristics, properties, modes of action, and effects of humic substances as biopolymers\/polyelectrolytes or polyelectrolyte enhanced biopolymers are summarized in Table 2 (Shulgin, 2011).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table 2: Characteristics, Modes of Action, and Effects of Humic Substances<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2116<\/strong><\/td>Characteristics<\/strong><\/td>Modes of Action<\/strong><\/td>Effects<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
1<\/strong><\/td>Natural surfactant<\/td>A potent polyelectrolyte. Reduction of the tension of water and water-based solutions.<\/td>Better penetration of water and water-based solutions in soil. Increased soil water holding capacity. Soil optimal porosity formation. Soil optimal organic and mineral aggregates formation. No-till soil decompaction and aeration.<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/strong><\/td>Natural ion exchanger and chelator. Absorbent.<\/td>Varies from a highly ionized polyelectrolyte to non-ionized biopolymer.<\/td>Increased soil absorption capacity including CEC. Improved macro and micronutrient uptake by plants and native soil bacteria. Nutrients (fertilizers) have a longer existence in soil and rational uptake. Soil toxicity reduction\/elimination.<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/strong><\/td>Natural organic mineral catalyst<\/td>Varies from moderately ionized polyelectrolyte to non-ionized biopolymer.<\/td>Increased content of stable organic matter and native minerals in the soil. Contaminated, disturbed, and degraded soil remediation. Soil native composition formation.<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/strong><\/td>Natural bio-stimulant<\/td>A potent polyelectrolyte.<\/td>Higher plant biomass. Increased plant sustainability against adverse factors, diseases, insect attacks, and healthier plants. Higher yield. Higher content of sugars, starch, oil, protein, vitamins, etc. Soil native microbial balance restoration.<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/strong><\/td>Combined characteristics (c. 1,2,3,4).<\/td>Natural catalyst. Naturally balanced and stabilized cycles of carbon, nitrogen, etc. Formation and support of soil potential fertility.<\/td>Optimal soil structure, composition, properties, functions, formation, and restoration. Healthier soil and crops, higher yield, and better quality. Reduced usage of chemicals. Support organic and sustainable agriculture.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scientific and Practical Interest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humic substances, especially humic acids and fulvic acids, have been the subject of research in various scientific fields, including geology, geochemistry, soil science, applied chemistry, geotechnology, and environmental and ecological disciplines. Significant advancements were made in Eastern Europe from 1950 to 1990. In recent decades, scientific and practical interest in HS has continued to grow, particularly in agriculture, leading to widespread application of HS and their derivatives. The accumulated knowledge and experience have provided a scientific foundation for understanding the functions of humic substances in soil, as presented in Figure 1 (Orlov, 1993).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Figure 1: Humic Substances and Their Functions in the Biosphere (Including Soil)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humic substances are products of organic matter humification in nature, resulting in stable, 
bio-geochemically active organic substances (humic acids, fulvic acid, humin).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the significant role of humic substances in the biosphere to their manufacturing and application in agriculture has been a journey spanning many decades. Monty\u2019s Plant Food Company<\/a> successfully implements fundamental knowledge into the practice of Humic Acid\/Fulvic Acid manufacturing and applications in agriculture. Our breakthrough and leading positions in the market were achieved through a deep understanding of humic acid\/fulvic acid, the development methods of native humic substance activation into bio-geochemically active biopolymers with polyelectrolytic properties (PEB), and their application as soil conditioners, additives to granular and liquid fertilizers, nutrient stabilizers in soil, plant growth and development regulators, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archard F. Chemische Untersuchung des Torfs. Crell\u2019s Chem. Ann 1786; 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chen Y, Aviad T. Effects of humic substances on plant growth. Humic substances in soil and crop sciences: Selected readings 1990: 161-186.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farhangi-Abriz S, Nikpour-Rashidabad N. Effect of lignite on alleviation of salt toxicity in soybean (Glycine max L.) plants. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 2017; 120: 186-193.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orlov D. Properties and functions of humic substances. Humic Substances in the Biosphere 1993; 21: 42-4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qin K, Leskovar DI. Lignite\u2010derived humic substances modulate pepper and soil\u2010biota growth under water deficit stress. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 2018; 181: 655-663.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shulgin A. Activated humic acids, their derivatives and technologies for effective and sustainable agriculture.  2011.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simmler M, Ciadamidaro L, Schulin R, Madej\u00f3n P, Reiser R, Clucas L, et al. Lignite reduces the solubility and plant uptake of cadmium in pasturelands. Environmental science & technology 2013; 47: 4497-4504.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stevenson FJ. Humus chemistry: genesis, composition, reactions: John Wiley & Sons, 1994.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tahir M, Khurshid M, Khan M, Abbasi M, Kazmi M. Lignite-derived humic acid effect on growth of wheat plants in different soils. Pedosphere 2011; 21: 124-131.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weil RR, Brady NC. The nature and properties of soils. Vol 15, 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhao Y, Naeth MA. Application timing optimization of lignite\u2010derived humic substances for three agricultural plant species and soil fertility. Wiley Online Library, 2022.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Alexander Shulgin, PhD Chief Scientist, Monty\u2019s Plant Food Overview Humic acids, fulvic acids, humin, and their derivatives are gaining popularity in agriculture as fertilizer additives, soil conditioners, biostimulants, and agents for soil and crop protection and remediation. All of these substances belong to the family of humic substances (HS). Historical Context Research on humic substances…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":13318,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[622,623,748,760,767,770,768,716,709,766,764,636,765,627,628,756,759,769,719,641,631,647,625,640,771,762,706,630,626,758,757,761,772],"class_list":["post-14051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-montys-blog","tag-activated-humic-technology","tag-agriculture","tag-agroliquid","tag-biochemical","tag-biologicals","tag-biopolymers","tag-biostimulants","tag-cation-exchange","tag-crop-yield","tag-fertilizers","tag-fulvic-acid","tag-fulvics","tag-humic-acid","tag-humic-substances","tag-humics","tag-humin","tag-microbiological","tag-micronutrients","tag-montys-plant-food","tag-montys-liquid-carbon","tag-nutrients","tag-organic","tag-organic-matter","tag-plant-health","tag-polyelectrolytes","tag-soc","tag-soil","tag-soil-conditioner","tag-soil-health","tag-soil-organic-carbon","tag-soil-organic-matter","tag-som","tag-toxicity"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHumic Substances: Broad Scope and Agricultural Applications - Monty's Plant Food<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/montysplantfood.com\/es\/humic-substances-broad-scope-and-agricultural-applications\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"es_ES\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Humic Substances: Broad Scope and Agricultural Applications - Monty's Plant Food\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Alexander Shulgin, PhD Chief Scientist, Monty\u2019s Plant Food Overview Humic acids, fulvic acids, humin, and their derivatives are gaining popularity in agriculture as fertilizer additives, soil conditioners, biostimulants, and agents for soil and crop protection and remediation. 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