December 2009: Vol 4 No 12
It is difficult to define precisely that which is known only vaguely. Humic substances do not correspond to a unique chemical entity and, accordingly, cannot be described in unambiguous structural terms. Humic substances are not biologically predestined to carry out a specific biochemical action and thus cannot be defined in functional terms. As a result, humic substances must be defined operationally.
Humic Substances – A general category of naturally occurring, biogenic, heterogeneous organic substances that can generally be characterized as being yellow to black in color, of high molecular weight, and refractory. There are three major fractions of humic substances.
Humin - A fraction of humic substances that is not soluble in water at any pH value.
Humic Acids - That fraction of humic substances that is not soluble in water under acid conditions (below pH 2), but becomes soluble at greater pH.
Fulvic Acids - That fraction of humic substances that is soluble under all pH conditions.
Other definitions:
Humus - A product of the decay of organic matter, it contains both humic and nonhumic material.
Nonhumic Matter - Relatively undercomposed organic matter and is relatively insoluble.
Humic Matter - Completely decomposed organic matter, and it is readily soluble either in acids or in bases.
Humic Acids - A collective name for the acid radicals found in humic matter.
Fulvic Acid can increase root hair, which increases the surface area of the root. It also increases the permeability of the root hair, which facilitate more efficient nutrient uptake. Fulvic Acid contains structures that act like hormones to facilitate the translocation of nutrients throughout the plant by metal ions complex to increases their solubility and availability to the plant roots. It is this action that increases the number of flowers on the plant and therefore increases the yield of plant fruits.
Humic Substances Copyright 2009
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