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The Benefits of Humates

 BIOLOGICAL BENEFITS:

1.  Stimulates plant enzymes
2.  Acts as an organic catalyst
3. Stimulates growth and proliferation of desirable soil microorganisms (algae, bacteria, fungi, etc)
4. Increases root respiration and formation
5. Increases the availability of micronutrients
6. Increases the permeability of plant membranes, which increases the uptake of nutrients
7. Increases the vitamin content of plants
8. Increases the viability and germination of seed
9. Accelerates cell division and root development
10. Contains a wealth of micro-elements such as Si, Fe, Mg, S, Ba, B, Mn, Co, Ni, Ti, Mo, Cu, Pb, Ag and more
11. Increases photosynthesis in plants
12. Contains soluble silicon

1. Silicon strengthens cell walls
2. Silicon helps block disease invasion at the cell level
3. Silicon helps plants maintain more uniform cell temperature, which increases drought and frost tolerance

Chemical Benefits:

1. Increases buffering properties of soil
2. Rich in both organic and mineral substances essential to plant growth
3. Retains water soluble fertilizers in the root zones and releases them to plants when needed
4. Has an extremely high CEC (cation exchange capacity)
5. Promotes the conversion of insoluble nutrients into forms available to plants
6. Reduces or eliminates many soil-related phenomenon, such as dry spots on golf greens

PHYSICAL BENEFITS:

1. Makes soil more friable and crumbly
2. Improves soil workability
3. Increases aeration of soil
4. Reduces thatch build-up in turfgrasses
5. Increases water holding capacity
6. Improves thermal coloring of soil

LITERATURE CITED:

1. Levinski, Boris, 1999. Everything About Humates. Irkutsk University, Siberia, 1-23, January.
2. Senn, T.L. and Kingman, A.R., 1973.  A Review of Humus and Humic Acids. Clemson University, Dept. of Horticulture, Research Series No. 145, March.
3. Freeman, P.G., 1969. The Use of Lignite Products as Plant Growth Stimulants.  Technology and Use of Lignite, IC Bureau of Mines Information Circular, 8471: 150-153; 160; 162; 164.
4. Burdick, E.M., 1965 Commercial Humates for Agriculture and the Fertilizer Industry.  Economic Botany. Vol. 19, No. 2: 152-156.

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