In recent years, the market has been flooded with humic acid products—labeled as “Humic Acid ≥50%”, “Soluble Humic Acid”, “Total Humic Acid”, and more.
But behind these impressive numbers, are you sure you understand what they truly mean?
Does a higher percentage always equal better performance?
Let’s uncover the hidden “secrets” behind humic acid content and learn how to choose truly effective humic acid products.
1. Key Terminologies You Must Know
Free HA
The active portion of humic acid that remains in a free state. It is easily extracted by alkaline solutions and represents the most readily available and bioactive fraction in the raw material.
Combined Humic Acid
Humic acid bound with metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, or iron. This fraction is less accessible and requires time or specific treatment to release.
Total HA
The sum of free and combined humic acids — the complete reserve of humic substances in a material.
Formula: Total Humic Acid = Free Humic Acid + Combined Humic Acid.
Activated HA
Humic acid that has undergone physical, chemical, or biological activation to break down large, complex molecules into smaller, more bioactive components.
A high content of activated humic acid indicates better quality, higher efficiency, and stronger biological activity.
Soluble HA
The portion that can dissolve in water and exist in ionic form—directly available for plant uptake.
It’s the core indicator for evaluating humic acid fertilizers like potassium humate.
2. Why “Soluble Humic Acid” Matters Most
When humic acid materials are processed into fertilizers, the most important performance indicator becomes soluble humic acid content.
Here’s why:
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Absorption starts with solubility.
Plant roots absorb only nutrients dissolved in water. Soluble humic acid quickly dissolves and moves with soil moisture, directly reaching the root zone. -
Ionic form = fast response.
In water, soluble humic acid dissociates into humate ions (negatively charged), which actively interact with root membranes, stimulating growth and enhancing nutrient uptake. -
Immediate effectiveness.
Soluble humic acid represents the real, effective part of humic acid fertilizer. The higher its content, the stronger the effects in root growth, soil conditioning, and stress resistance.
3. Understanding the Quality Pyramid
| Indicator | Meaning | Application Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Total HA | Total reserve of humic substances | Evaluate raw materials |
| Free HA | Readily available & active fraction | Assess usability of raw materials |
| Activated HA | Indicates degree of activation | Reflects process technology |
| Soluble HA | Water-soluble & effective component | Key indicator for fertilizers |
👉 Total HA = Free + Combined > Soluble HA
Only by understanding this hierarchy can you accurately assess humic acids quality — not by numbers alone, but by what those numbers represent.
4. Choose Wisely, Grow Confidently
When choosing humic acids products, don’t be misled by labels boasting high content.
Look deeper:
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Evaluate raw materials by total and free humic acid.
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Evaluate technology by activated humic acid.
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Evaluate fertilizer effectiveness by soluble humic acid.
At Wellyou Tech, we believe real quality speaks through performance, not just numbers.
Our humic acid series is made from premium weathered coal sources, processed with advanced activation and purification technology—ensuring high solubility, high activity, and consistent results in every batch.
Because when farmers trust what’s inside the bag, the harvest will always speak for itself.
