What  is Humic  Acid ?

Humic acids are a complex mixture of partially "decomposed" and otherwise transformed organic materials.  The chemistry of their formation is quite complex, and freshwater humic acids can come from a variety of sources, most of which are on land (decomposing terrestrial vegetation). These substances wash into lakes and rivers, undergoing further transformations along the way, and ultimately into the ocean.  Most but certainly not all of the marine humic acids also ultimately have their origin on land. Almost all of the lignins found in marine environments originate on land.

In  general

Humic acids - the fraction of humic substances that is not soluble in water under acidic conditions (pH < 2) but is soluble at higher pH values. They can be extracted from soil by various reagents and which is insoluble in dilute acid. Humic acids are the major extractable component of soil humic substances. They are dark brown to black in color.

Fulvic acids - the fraction of humic substances that is soluble in water under all pH conditions. They remains in solution after removal of humic acid by acidification. Fulvic acids are light yellow to yellow-brown in color.

Humin - the fraction of humic substances that is not soluble in water at any pH value and in alkali. Humins are black in color.

What are the chemical characteristics of  Humic  Acid ?

It  is  believed that all dark colored humic substances are part of a system of closely related, but not completely identical, high - molecular - weight polymers. According to this concept, differences between humic acids and fulvic acids, can be explained by variations in molecular weight, numbers of functional groups (carboxyl, phenolic OH) and extent of polymerization.
The postulated relationships are depicted in figure , in which it can be seen that carbon and oxygen contents, acidity and degree of polymerization all change systematically with increasing molecular weight.

The low - molecular - weight fulvic acids have higher oxygen but lower carbon contents than the high - molecular - weight humic acids. Fulvic acids contain more functional groups of an acidic nature, particularly COOH. The total acidities of fulvic acids (900 - 1400 meq/100g) are considerably higher than for humic acids (400 - 870 meq/100g).
Another important difference is that while the oxygen in fulvic acids can be accounted for largely in known functional groups (COOH, OH, C=O), a high portion of the oxygen in humic acids seems to occur as a structural component of the nucleus.

What is the structure of Humic Acid?

What  are  the  physical  benefits  of  using  Humic  Acid ?

• Makes  the  soil  more  workable.
• Increases  aeration  of  soil.
• Increases  water  holding  capacity.
• Improves  seed  bed.
• Reduces  soil  erosion.

What are the chemical benefits of using Humic Acid ?

• Increases  buffering  properties  of  soil.
• Chelates  metal  ions  under  alkaline  conditions.
• Rich   in  both  organic  and  mineral  substances  essential to  plant  growth.
• Retains  water  soluble  inorganic  fertilizers  in  the  root zones  and  releases  them to  plants  when  needed.
• Possesses  extremely  high  ion-exchange  capacities.
• Promotes  the  conversion  of  a  number  of  elements  into  forms  available  to plants.

What are the biological benefits of using Humic Acid ?

• Stimulates  plant  enzymes.
• Acts  as  an  organic  catalyst.
• Stimulates  growth  and  proliferation  of  desirable  soil  micro-organisms  as  well  as  algae  and  yeasts.
• Increases  root  respiration  and  formation.
• Stimulates  root  growth,  especially  lengthwise.
• Increases  the  permeability  of  plant  membranes; promoting  uptake  of  nutrients.
• Increases  vitamin  content  of  plants.
• Stimulates  plant  growth  by  accelerating  cell  division, increasing  the  rate  of development  in  root  systems,  and increasing  yield  of  dry  matter.

What are the products that give the right synergy with Humic Acid ?
Our Speciality Lignosulphonates provide the right dispersing properties and synergize Humates to perform effectively.

What are the different Product Groups (Humates) of Humic Acid?

What are the products that give the right synergy with Humic Acid ?
Our Speciality Lignosulphonates provide the right dispersing properties and synergize Humates to perform effectively.

Product Group of Lignosulphonate: