How Does Humic Acid Form and Why Is It Important?
Humic acid is a well-known word in the agriculture department. It is a dark brown substance formed from the decay of both plants and animals. It has a group of molecules that help the soil to yield a good crop with nutrients to the plant and roots. The deficiency of humic acid has a significant impact on the crop. So let's see and learn more about humic acid.
Characteristics of Humic Acid
The basic characteristics of humic acid are as follows.
They have more weight.
They are a mixture of multiple acids.
The humic soil is dark brown.
The humic acid structure is like chain molecules.
Humic acid is highly soluble in alkaline solutions.
It is a natural resource formed by the decomposition of plants and animals.
It is available in oceans, soils, and streams.
Formation of Humic Acid
After the death of plants and animals, several chemical molecules are formed newly and these can be eaten by different organisms like insects, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, earthworms, etc. The leftover material can stay on the soil for a longer time. After that, the decomposition of those materials will start and the humus is formed by decaying this matter. This whole process is known as humification.
Classification of Humus
Humus is divided into three different types, and they are as follows.
Humic Acids:- These are soluble in high pH conditions with dark brown colour. These can be stored for longer periods. The humic acids have high molecular weight than the others.
Fulvic Acids:- These have a low molecular weight and appear in yellow and yellowish-brown colour. These are soluble in water at every pH condition.
Humin:- A black-coloured substance which has a high molecular weight and it is also soluble in water at all pH conditions. These may not be found in base extracted liquid products.
Sources of Humus
We have multiple sources available in nature to get humus. If the animals and the plants died in a wet environment, after a long time this matter will become the richest source for getting humus. All these deposits were stored under big rocks and sand. These massive deposits are also known as ``lignite" or "leonardite" which became major sources of humic acids.
Benefits of Humic Acid
Humic acid has several benefits especially for providing nutrients, water, etc to the soil and plants. Some of the benefits of humic acid are as follows.
• It helps in increasing the water-holding capacity of the soil.
• Humic acid Improves the overall soil structure.
• It helps to stimulate microbial activity.
• It regulates the pH value of soils.
• It chelates toxins from the soil which helps to remove obstacles in growth.
• It helps to eliminate iron chlorosis by increasing the iron uptake.
• It improves overall plant health, provides plants better resistance against diseases.
• It stimulates root growth, which in turn increases crop volume.
• It is used to increase germination and also intake of nutrients.
Role of Agri Humic Acid
Agri humic is the concentrated substance of humic acid. It is available in granular form. These Agri humic granules promote cell division and cytokinesis in the root and shoot parts of a plant. To grow a healthy crop, the cultivators use this humic acid in the form of powder or liquid. If it is powder, it is available in the market as a humic powder or humic acid powder. But while purchasing the humic acid powder, one should notice all the standards given on the product. For example, it is good to use IFFCO humic acid as it is a verified quality of humic acid.
Also, different brands are available in the market. One should make sure about the brand, quantity, price and of course, quality is a must. The vestige humic acid can be applied to the crop in a proper dosage. Both excess and deficiency will show an impact on the crop. No one should neglect humic powder. It shows very adverse effects on the human body so one should take proper precautions and guidelines before using the humic acid. 5 kgs of humic acid powder are required for one acre of crop. The humic soil provides a good yield.
Conclusion
Hence the humic acid is a substance that helps to strengthen the immune system of plants and promotes effective production. It can be prepared naturally and stored for a long time. The only source for the formation of humic acid is the death of animals and plants. After the decomposition of these matters, the obtained product is nothing but humic acid which has several benefits for the soil, plants which in turn helps in producing food for mankind.
FAQs on Humic Acid in Chemistry: Key Concepts and Benefits
1. What exactly is humic acid and where does it come from?
Humic acid is a complex mixture of organic molecules that forms naturally in soil. It's a major component of humus, the rich, dark organic material created when plants and animals decompose over thousands of years. You can find it in soil, peat, and certain types of coal.
2. How does humic acid help plants grow better?
Humic acid acts as a soil conditioner, improving the environment for plant roots. It helps in several ways:
- Improves Nutrient Uptake: It makes it easier for plants to absorb essential nutrients already in the soil.
- Enhances Soil Structure: It helps bind soil particles, which improves aeration and prevents the soil from becoming too compact.
- Increases Water Retention: It helps the soil hold more water, making it available to plants for longer periods.
- Stimulates Root Growth: It encourages the development of stronger and more extensive root systems.
3. What is the difference between humic acid and fulvic acid?
Both are types of humic substances, but they differ in key ways. Humic acid is a larger, more complex molecule that is only soluble in alkaline (high pH) water. Fulvic acid has a much smaller molecular size, is soluble at all pH levels, and can be more easily absorbed by plant leaves and roots.
4. Why is humic acid called a soil conditioner and not a fertilizer?
This is a key distinction. A fertilizer directly supplies plants with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). A soil conditioner, like humic acid, does not contain significant amounts of these nutrients. Instead, it improves the soil's physical and chemical properties, making the nutrients already present in the soil more available for the plant to use.
5. Can using too much humic acid burn or harm plants?
No, humic acid does not cause the chemical 'burn' that can happen with excessive synthetic fertilizers. It is a natural, organic substance. However, applying extremely high concentrations is unnecessary and could potentially alter the soil's pH balance slightly. It's always best to follow the recommended application rates for any garden product.
6. What does the chemical structure of humic acid look like?
Humic acid doesn't have a single, fixed chemical formula. It is a supramolecular mixture, meaning it's a large, complex assembly of many different organic molecules. Its structure contains important functional groups, such as carboxyl (-COOH) and phenolic (-OH) groups, which are responsible for its ability to chelate nutrients and improve soil structure.
7. Are there any safety precautions for handling humic acid products?
While humic acid is natural and generally safe, it's good practice to take basic precautions. When handling it in a concentrated powder form, it is wise to wear gloves and a mask to avoid inhaling the dust. Always remember to wash your hands after use.
