Humic acid for plants: benefits and harms, reviews

Natural humic fertilizers are highly effective and have almost no disadvantages. Organic preparations increase the stress resistance of plants, the taste of vegetables, fruit and cereals, strengthen the root system and improve the structure of the soil.

What is humic fertilizers

Such fertilizers are made from humus - a waste product of fauna and soil microflora. The humus content directly affects the indicators of soil structure and fertility. Only chernozem can boast of a high percentage of humus (up to 13%); in the regions of the central zone of the Russian Federation, soils contain no more than 3-4% of humus. Humates (or humic acids) are organic growth stimulants derived from peat, wood, coal and silt deposits.

Top dressing based on humins improves the mechanical properties of the soil, saturates it with oxygen and prevents oxidation.

Such fertilizers are used in the preparation of seedlings, ornamental and horticultural crops, when soaking seeds and for feeding seedlings both in open ground and in greenhouses.

Complexes based on humates are used for foliar and root feeding, as well as for soil cultivation and relieving plants from stress.

Concentrated mixtures are obtained by homogenization followed by purification with cavitation homogenizers.

Pros and cons of humic fertilizers

Humic fertilizers are distinguished by the widest range of uses and high efficiency. Most large agricultural enterprises use humates for growing fruit and vegetable crops. They have both positive and negative qualities.

Pros:

  • stimulation of growth, improvement of the composition and structure of the soil;
  • saturation of the soil with micro- and macroelements, vitamins and amino acids;
  • increasing the air permeability of the soil, facilitating the respiration of plant cells;
  • acceleration of the maturation of fruit crops and the processes of photosynthesis;
  • increasing resistance to diseases and pests;
  • positive effect on seedlings under adverse conditions.

Minuses:

  • such preparations have low efficiency when used on fertile chernozems;
  • humates have a weak effect on flax, rapeseed, legumes and sunflower.

If we consider the benefits and harms of humic fertilizers using the example of strawberries, then it can be noted that the growth rate of the vegetative mass increases and the yield increases significantly, and the disadvantages of such preparations are observed very rarely: in the case of a severe overdose.

Composition of humic fertilizers

Humic concentrates are produced in the form of a dark brown liquid with a low viscosity and a specific odor. The preparations include substances of organic origin. Alkaline solutions are used to isolate humic acid from products of animal or plant origin.

Produce humates from vegetable or manure compost, silt, brown coal and sapropel

The fertilizers include:

  • fulvic acid;
  • humic acid;
  • proline, B-phenylalanine, arginine and other amino acids.

Also, preparations are enriched with zinc, phosphorus, nitrogen, iron, sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium and other microelements. Their composition can be supplemented with amonifiers (beneficial microorganisms) and fungi.

Types of humic fertilizers

There is a wide range of humic fertilizers: growth stimulants, complexes for soil enrichment and acceleration of compost maturation. Liquid fertilizers are considered the most demanded and popular, since it is convenient to add nutrients to them, and the risk of burning the root system is reduced to a minimum.

Peat-humic fertilizers

For the production of these fertilizers, peat raw materials are used. Peat-humic compositions are used to treat the root system, root crops, bulbs, seeds. Ideal for ornamental and indoor crops. Promotes rejuvenation of old plants and long-lasting lush flowering. Dry peat-humic complexes effectively resist pathogenic microflora, therefore they are often used to process harvested cereals, vegetables and granaries.

Liquid humic fertilizers

Liquid fertilizers are natural immunomodulators that stimulate the growth and development of plants, protect them from stress and provide complex feeding. They are used at all stages, starting with the pre-sowing preparation of seeds, and ending with the processing of the soil after the crop has been harvested. They are actively used in organic farming.

Liquid humic fertilizers are effective on all types of soils

Instructions for the use of fertilizers with humic acid

It is necessary to dilute the concentrate with strict adherence to the proportions recommended by the manufacturer. If the permissible norm is exceeded, the development of the plant may be disrupted. Such fertilizers should not be used together with calcium nitrate and phosphorus fertilizers. Their simultaneous use leads to the formation of sparingly soluble compounds that can seriously harm plants. It is allowed to use humates with potassium, nitrogen and other organic complexes.

Annual plants need to be fed with humates at seedling age and during fruiting, and shrubs and trees - during transplantation, when there is a high probability of injuring the root system. Humic mineral complexes are usually applied three times during the season by alternating root dressing and spraying. Humates are best suited for podzolic and soddy soils. The maximum effect is observed on soils with low fertility and poor chemical composition.

Humic fertilizers

When choosing a drug, you need to decide on the task that it will perform. There are special complexes for soaking seeds, rooting cuttings and feeding adult plants. The range of fertilizers based on humates is very wide; they are produced by many Russian and European manufacturers from various raw materials. On the shelves of garden stores, you can find preparations in liquid, solid and paste form.

Ekorost

It is used to increase the yield and quality of cereals. Differs in a high content of sodium and potassium salts.

Thanks to Ekorost, you can significantly reduce the consumption of mineral fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides

The drug helps to reduce acidity and improve the structure of the soil.

Garden of miracles

The manufacturer's line of the Garden of Miracles contains liquid humic fertilizers for roses, orchids, palms and cacti.

They are used to increase the percentage of seed germination, develop a strong root system and improve decorative qualities. They increase resistance to fungal and bacterial diseases, powdery mildew and late blight.

Living force

Organic complex for flower, coniferous, berry and fruit crops, enriched with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and other microelements.

Living force is used as an immunomodulator and biostimulator

The product increases resistance to stress and drought.

Edagum SM

Liquid humic fertilizer based on peat, enriched with organic acids (malic, oxalic and succinic), as well as amino acids, vitamins, macro and microelements. They are used to increase yields, stimulate growth, enhance the development of the root system and improve the survival rate of seedlings.

Edagum SM helps to cleanse the soil from radionuclides, oil products and other contaminants

Precautions when working with humic fertilizers

Humates belong to the category of organic preparations, so their use is considered safe for humans. Humic fertilizers are low-hazard products (hazard class - 4). However, when working with humates, it is recommended to use gloves, and in case of contact with the skin or eyes, rinse with plenty of water.

If you accidentally swallow humic fertilizer, you need to provoke vomiting by drinking 200-400 ml of clean water

Terms and conditions of storage of fertilizers based on humic acids

The finished solution of humic acid is stored for no more than seven days from the moment of preparation. The complexes that are sold in garden stores can stand in a closed container from 2 to 3 years (depending on the chemical composition and packaging). Dry, enclosed spaces are best suited for storing humic fertilizers.

Conclusion

Humic fertilizers are indispensable for growing fruit and berry and ornamental crops. They are used both for germination of seeds and at all stages of vegetative development of plants, as well as for root feeding. These funds are most effective when growing tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes, eggplants and various shrubs.

Reviews of humic fertilizers

Alena Sergeevna, 36 years old, Zvenigorod
I bought a soft humic fertilizer Lignohumate potassium to increase seed germination. Preparing the solution according to the manufacturer's recommendations (10 ml of the drug per 0.6 liters of water). Since the complex has a wide spectrum of action, I used it for subsequent spraying of seedlings.
Victoria Alekseevna, 46 years old, Solnechnogorsk
I use humic fertilizers Garden of Miracles, Zhivaya Sila and PETER PEAT for feeding potatoes, radishes, carrots and cucumbers. The advantage of these drugs is a balanced composition, supplemented with vitamins, low molecular weight organic acids, carbohydrates and amino acids.

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