There are no long-term downsides to using humates. They offer only benefits, including enhancing plant stress resistance, promoting root growth and microbial activity, and contributing to carbon sequestration in the soil. Overall, humic substances improve soil health and plant productivity without negative effects. Click here to hear the full answer.

Humic acid can enhance soil carbon content by stimulating plant growth and microbial activity. Humic substances promote more root exudates and fine roots, which, along with microbial decomposition, contribute carbon to the soil. When combined with manure, it's important to manage the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio carefully. If the ratio is too low, microbes may deplete

Even if your soil has high organic matter, humates can still help by reducing plant stress. However, for better results, it's recommended to use foliar applications rather than soil applications. In soils with high organic matter, humic substances can bind together and become less effective in the soil. Foliar application ensures better uptake and

How often you need to apply humates depends on your goals. For immediate results, liquid applications (via foliar or soil) can be done several times throughout the year. For longer-term effects, solid applications to the soil are recommended, as they can last 2-3 years. The exact duration of effects is still being studied. Click

Humic substances can stabilize nitrogen by binding to ammonium and nitrate. At a pH of 7-9, the negative charges in humic acids (from carboxylic and phenolic groups) can bind to ammonium ions. Nitrate can also bind through divalent cations. However, urea, being neutral, cannot be bound by humic substances. This ability helps improve nitrogen

Yes, soil type can affect the performance of humates. A USDA study found that in dry years with low rainfall, humic substances improved productivity across different soil types. However, in wetter years, the benefits were more noticeable in poorly-drained soils. Humic substances generally act as a form of "insurance," boosting plant resilience to stress.

The effect of pH on humic substances depends on the application. In soil, pH can influence humic molecule behavior, especially in calcareous soils with high calcium and magnesium, which can bind to humic acids. However, plants maintain a pH of around 5.5 in the rhizosphere (the soil around the roots), meaning that once humic

Humic substances are divided into three fractions: humic acids, fulvic acids, and the humate fraction. The key difference between them lies in their solubility in water. Humic acids are soluble in alkaline solutions but insoluble in acidic conditions, while fulvic acids are soluble across all pH levels. The humate fraction is insoluble and remains

Liquid humate products, extracted from soft coal materials, typically contain 4% to 18% humic acid and can be applied both to soil and foliage. These products are versatile, offering immediate bioavailability for rapid plant response. In contrast, dry products, including micronized coal mixed with potassium hydroxide, are primarily for soil use and provide longer-term