Humic acid is essentially weathered coal that has been screened and removed from impurities. The essence of weathered coal is organic matter, the essence of organic matter is humus, and the essence of humus is humic acid. However, it is affected by the raw materials. Due to its own limitations, humic acid is insoluble in water. This results in the disadvantages of being difficult to decompose and slow to produce results during agricultural application.
According to the characteristics of humic acid raw powder being soluble in alkaline solutions and insoluble in water and acidic solutions, we use strong alkaline substances such as caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), potassium hydroxide (potassium hydroxide) or ammonia water to activate the humic acid. The obtained product is humate, which is called sodium humate, potassium humate, and ammonium humate in sequence. This activated product has the characteristics of high water solubility, high activity, and high chelation, and is mainly used for flushing, drip irrigation or even sprinkler irrigation. Compared with humic acid raw powder, activated humate fertilization can have obvious effects within one week, including a significant improvement in soil water retention and longer crop roots.
1. Different ingredients
Humic acid is a dark brown to black, colloidal substance formed by the decomposition of organic matter such as plants and animals. Its main components include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and other elements. Common humic acids are simple both body and complex. Potassium humate is a polymer heterogeneous aromatic hydroxycarboxylate. The main components are humic acid and potassium. It is a product extracted from lignite after precise selection and reaction with KOH liquid. It is soluble in water and is alkaline. , containing active groups such as carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups.
2. Different functions between humic acid and potassium humate
Humic acids have a good regulating effect on crops and soil. It can improve soil structure, increase soil fertility, and increase crop yield and quality. Potassium humate mainly provides potassium element, which can not only promote the growth and development of plants, but also improve the fertility and water retention capacity of the soil.
3. Different applicable objects
Humic acids are suitable for all kinds of soil. It has a good improvement effect on different types of soil such as sandy soil, clay, acidic soil, etc. It can be used to increase the organic matter content and improve the soil hierarchy. Potassium humate is mainly suitable for soil or crops lacking potassium, such as sugar cane, tomatoes, melons and fruits, etc.
To sum up, although humic acid and potassium humate are both soil conditioners. Their main components, functions and applicable objects are very different. When using it, we need to choose the appropriate fertilizer according to the specific soil type and crop growth needs to achieve the best results.
