Humates are a group of elements that stimulate the development and growth of plants. They are composed of substances of natural origin, and have a complex effect on the soil. Humates are not fertilizers, but they can perfectly replace them. If desired, you can make humates yourself.
What are humates?
Humates are natural elements that form in the soil during the breakdown of plant fiber. They are also known as humic acids. These elements are classified as salts based on sodium or potassium. For garden crops, humates replace fertilizers.
Humic acids form when they break down:
- peat;
- brown coal;
- sapropel;
- leonarditis.
Among the listed elements, the smallest amount of humates contains coal. The volume of humic acids from the total composition of solid fuels is 5%. The easiest way to get humates is from Leonardite. The composition of this component contains from 40% to 80% of humic acids.
The first humates were created 60 years ago. The author of the study, as a result of which these elements were obtained, is Professor Christova Lydia. It was she who determined the beneficial properties of humic acids.
When humates enter the soil:
- stimulate the work of microorganisms;
- improve soil structure;
- facilitate the penetration of water and oxygen into the earth.
This improves soil quality, thereby enhancing plant development and increasing productivity. Humates do not contain substances that pose a danger to the environment, due to which they can be used in any conditions.
Types and useful properties of humates
Humates are divided into two categories: ballast and ballastless. The second category is characterized by a higher efficiency indicator, because it contains a large number of active substances. The composition of ballast humates includes a substrate and impurities, as a result of which the percentage of active substances is lower.
The quality of humic acids depends on what raw materials they were made from. Depending on the composition, elements of this type are of two types:
- sodium humates;
- humates of potassium.
Both species have a similar effect when used, but differ in characteristics and properties.
Humate sodium
Sodium humate belongs to organic substances, and is used to increase the resistance of plants to:
- stress
- frost;
- the drought.
Sodium humate provides plants with nutrients, thanks to which they retain leaves and buds for a long time. The only drawback of this substance is incompatibility with alkaline soils.
Potassium humate
Potassium humate is one of the organomineral supplements. It is intended for:
- seed treatment before sowing;
- rooting of cuttings;
- processing of tubers and other planting material.
To obtain a greater effect, it is recommended to use "Humate +7 trace elements". This substance is an improved version of humic acid, in which microelements are added.
When using potassium humate, sugar gradually accumulates in the soil, due to which the fruits of fruit and berry plants become more sweet.
What is the use of humates in the cultivation of garden crops?
Humates are used in horticulture and horticulture because:
- halves the need for nitrogen top dressing;
- make herbicides, fungicides and insecticides more effective;
- increase the quality of the crop.
If horticultural crops are grown for commercial purposes, the use of humate substances increases the cost of production.
Humates are considered the safest stimulators of plant growth and development for human health. They strengthen the root system of the plant, making it better tolerates:
- negative weather events;
- diseases
- pest attacks.
Humic acids contribute to the acceleration of metabolism and plant development, so that it better absorbs beneficial trace elements. In addition, the process of photosynthesis is accelerated, due to which the green mass increases. At home, the use of humates contributes to a more intensive and high-quality gardening of ornamental plants, the leaves become more healthy and saturated.
Due to the stimulation of the plant development process:
- bloom more profusely;
- have the best ovaries;
- fruit early.
Humates normalize metabolism, increase the quality and energy value of grown products. Their use is recommended when using soil contaminated:
- radionuclides;
- pesticide residues;
- herbicides;
- mineral fertilizers.
With the accumulation of a large number of chemical protective substances in the soil, productivity decreases. Humic acids help to remove elements from the soil that adversely affect its quality.
If humates are used in combination with products designed to control pests, weeds and diseases, they will reduce the percentage of burns and damage to plants.
Heavy soil does not allow plants to receive the required amount of micro and macro elements. Humic acids reduce the increased moisture and acidity of the soil, and also accelerate the formation of humus.
Using humates, it is possible to partially or completely abandon mineral fertilizers, saving additional money. The cost of potassium humate is lower than the price of standard mineral supplements.
How and why are humates used?
The use of humates is allowed in any industry related to the need to improve soil quality. Humic acids are used in:
- gardening;
- growing crops;
- viticulture;
- growing vegetables;
- dressing indoor ornamental plants.
Humates belong to the category of hormone-like substances. With their help, pre-sowing treatment of seeds is carried out in order to increase their survival. Regardless of the type of humate, the method of use is similar.
Seed treatment
Before proceeding to the processing of seeds with humates, it is necessary to prepare the latter according to the instructions. Humates are sold in the form of a powder, from which a solution is prepared by diluting a substance with water. Standard ratio of components: one tablespoon of humates per 10 liters of water. If pre-sowing seed treatment is performed, the components are mixed in a different ratio: 0.5 grams of humic powder per 1 liter of water.
Humates are recommended to be stockpiled using a 2-liter plastic bottle. Such a capacity will require 1 gram of active substance. For breeding, it is recommended to use a teaspoon. 1 gram of humate is a third of a teaspoon.
When using liquid humates, a solution is prepared by diluting 100 milliliters of the active substance in 1 liter of water.
Processing of seeds in humic acid is carried out by soaking. The duration of the procedure is two days. After that, the seeds are removed and left to dry. When they dry, they can be planted.
If seed treatment of cucumbers or flowers is performed, the soaking period is no more than a day.
Plant nutrition
For plant nutrition, ballast humates are used. The use of humic salts for this purpose is carried out in two ways: root and non-root. The root method involves standard watering. A tablespoon of humic powder is diluted in 10 liters of water, after which the desired plants are watered with a mixture.
The foliar method of top dressing is carried out by spraying. Such use of humates requires a weaker solution. For 10 liters of water, 3 grams or one teaspoon of humic powder is needed.
Feeding is carried out during the growing season or fruiting. If the plant does not bloom, or does not have buds, humates are not recommended. Also, dressing can not be carried out if the harvest is planned no later than three weeks later.
When feeding humates, a number of rules are required:
- at least 3 liters and not more than 10 liters of solution are used per square meter;
- during the growing season, plants are sprayed from 2 to 6 times;
- for feeding beets, cabbage, zucchini, carrots, spraying is performed with potassium humate 4 times during the season;
- processing of fruit plants is carried out together with pesticides and herbicides during the formation of fruit ovaries;
- dressing of garden flowers is carried out in the spring no more than 6 times in two weeks;
- the processing of indoor plants is carried out 1 time for 15 days from March to September.
If liquid humate is used, the solution is diluted by mixing from 50 to 100 milliliters of active substance per 10 liters of water. After that, the mixture is poured under the root of the plants, taking into account the use of 3 to 10 liters per 1 square meter.
Tillage
Humates of exclusively powder type are intended for tillage. The purpose of this use of humic salts is to detoxify and improve soil structure. The substance is pre-mixed with sand, and then crumbles to the surface of the earth. To process 1 square meter of soil in the area, 50 grams of powder humate is required. After all the necessary territory has been cultivated, the earth needs to be loosened so that the substance penetrates better into the soil.
The procedure must be carried out in the spring before planting, and in the fall - after harvesting. Nutrients under the influence of precipitation and irrigation are gradually washed out, as a result of which the quality of the soil deteriorates. If you do not use humates of potassium and sodium, a shortage of magnesium and iron will gradually appear in the soil.
The specified norm cannot be exceeded - an excess of humic salts in the soil can cause a negative reaction.
How are humates with manure and compost used?
The use of humates in conjunction with manure and compost has a number of advantages:
- acceleration of the process of plant development;
- reducing the minimum required norm of humates for tillage by 2-3 times;
- the indicator of the effectiveness of humic salts does not decrease;
- harmful bacteria and microorganisms contained in manure are destroyed;
- the level of ammonia in the compost is reduced to a minimum.
To prepare the fertilizer, the components are mixed in the ratio: 10 grams of humates per 10 kilograms of manure. Humic acids are best mixed with mullein. The process of applying humates with manure and compost is as follows:
- fertilizer preparation is carried out no later than 2 months before its use;
- a standard solution is prepared from humic powder, which is used to pour mullein;
- manure is thoroughly mixed for high-quality decomposition;
- before use, the mullein is dissolved in water in a ratio of 1 to 1 and infused for 2 weeks;
- the resulting substance is again mixed with water in a ratio of 1 to 10, after which it is poured under the plants.
Soil cultivation with humates with manure is recommended to be performed in the evening. Such a substance can not be poured directly under the root of plants. Between the beds or near the bushes, grooves are drawn, where fertilizer is poured.
Which humate is better?
The quality of the humate depends on what raw material it was made from. The most effective is a substance created on the basis of Leonardite. But such an element is rare, so humates made from it are expensive.
On sale, you can often find peat humates. They are among the most affordable growth stimulants, and are distinguished by the highest quality index of humic salts in this price segment.
Sapropelic humates are the cheapest. They are easier to buy than peat counterparts, but they are lower in quality. This is due to a large number of impurities, the elimination of which is not carried out due to too expensive a process.
It is not recommended to buy humates made from brown coal, because they contain impurities of heavy metals.
When comparing potassium and sodium humates, both the advantages and disadvantages of each of them are distinguished:
- potassium humate provides plants with the main component for growth, but has a high cost;
- sodium humate is more affordable, but prevents the formation of potassium, and pollutes the soil with toxins.
Potassium humate is considered more beneficial, and is suitable for processing most plants. Sodium humate, despite the deficiencies, also supplies plants with the elements necessary for development, but is compatible with some plants, such as onions and beets.
The highest quality Russian-made humates are made in the Baikal region and on Sakhalin. Products from both regions are on sale. The place of manufacture is indicated on the package, so an inexperienced buyer will not have problems with the choice.
Humates are humic salts that improve soil quality and stimulate plant development. They can be used for processing both outdoor plants and indoor plants. But the use of humates is allowed strictly in accordance with the instructions. Otherwise, soil and plants can be harmed.