Agricultural Benefits
Using Humates restores the
natural balance in soil necessary for optimal plant growth. The following
benefits are some of the results you can expect from applying Humates.
Increased
Crop Yields
Crop Yields
Humates have been shown to provide a significant increase in crop yields when
combined with your current fertilizer program. Humates can improve root
development, total leaf area and total crop yields per acre.
Increased
Root Growth
Root Growth
A consistent result from all crops tested was increased root growth.
Length, density, and radius of plant roots dramatically increased. Tests
have shown that root system vigor is very important to the nutrient uptake
capability of plants, as well as to the plant's ability to combat disease.
In addition, plant stability is enhanced, and plants are better able to find and
absorb water with a broad based root system.
Increased
Chlorophyll Content
Chlorophyll Content
Humic matter has been shown to increase the chlorophyll content in plants, and
can prevent or correct chlorosis.
Increased
Nutrient Uptake
Nutrient Uptake
Humates have been shown to consistently improve the uptake of nutrients such as
nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron, as well as innumerable trace elements essential
for plant health. This is due to the biochemically active nature of humic
acid, and it's ability to form both soluble and insoluble complexes with various
metals, minerals, and organics. Nutrients are mobilized in forms that the
plants can accept.
Improved
Quality of Plants
Plant Quality
Humates can improve the quality of fruit, vegetables, and flowers by improving
their physical appearance, and in the case of food crops, their nutritional
value. Cereal crops have shown a more balanced amino acid content, and a
higher protein content. All of this can enhance their worth in the
marketplace.
Enhanced
Natural Defenses
Natural Defense
The
biochemically active nature of humic acid works to enhance a plant's natural
defenses against toxins and disease. Many toxins are inhibited or
neutralized directly by bonding interactions with humic acids. In
addition, biologically active compounds (such as antibiotics and phenolic acids)
found in healthy humus can enhance plant resistance to some diseases.
Finally, plants which are healthy and receive all of their required nutrients
are better able to combat disease and pests.
Improved
Soil Structure
Soil Structure
Humus combines with clay minerals to form structural units called aggregates.
These help to stabilize the soil and increase it's permeability to water and
gaseous exchanges. Also, life forms such as bacteria and earthworms, which
are dependent on humus content, contribute a lot to the maintenance of the soil
structure. The use of humate can prevent soil cracking, which exposes
roots to the air and can cause crops to burn in severe heat conditions.
Since organic matter is not water soluble, soil with a high humus content is
less likely to be subject to water erosion.
Improved
Water Retention
Water Retention
Humates can hold up to 20 times their weight in water. By enhancing the
soil's ability to retain water, humate usage can reduce the need for crop
irrigation. This can be especially helpful with sandy soils, and
contributes a large measure of drought resistance to crops.
Differing
Soil pH
Soil pH
Because of the chemical bonding interactions of humic acid, plants are able to
grow in soil with more widely varying pH values.
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