Humic acid is a principal component of humic substances, which are the major organic constituents of soil (humus), peat, coal, many upland streams, dystrophic lakes, and ocean water.

Earthworm Vermiextract Prime by Worm House are made with earthworm vermicompost, which is converted into a liquid fertiliser using the cavitation method. The liquid fertiliser has a higher humus content compared to dry granulated fertilisers.

Humic substances of the soil provide a source of energy to living organisms of the soil, as they do not have access to energy produced through photosynthesis like terrestrial plants. For this reason, the presence of organic substances is of great importance in ensuring the occurrence of metabolic reactions in the soil. Soil organisms such as algae, yeast fungi, bacteria, nematodes, mycorrhizae, etc. perform important functions such as improving the soil fertility and structure and promoting plant growth and resistance against various diseases.

Benefits of adding Humic Acid to the soil

  • Increases the nutrient holding capacity of the soil.

  • Improves fertilizer utilization by “chelating” nutrients, which puts them into a more absorbable form.

  • Buffers pH problems by allowing plants to get nutrients otherwise “locked” in the soil due to high or low pH.

  • Increases and enlarges root systems and promotes plant cell division.

  • Helps buffer the effects of high salts in soils whether from natural soil conditions or due to excess fertilizers, ocean water or even dog urine

  • Improves the growth of various groups of beneficial micro-organisms including those that help detoxify soils. Often used in soil bioremediation projects.

  • Changes the physical and mechanical properties of the soil in structure, color, and consistency. Helps aerate and bioactivate soils.

  • Increases the permeability of plant membranes, promotes more efficient nutrient uptake of foliar nutrients.

  • Adds Carbon and also aids in correcting plant chlorosis.

  • Improves germination rates of seed.

Humic substances not only provide a source of energy for processes occurring in the soil, they also play an important role in ensuring and maintaining water saturation. Water is the main agent of the soil ensuring substance dissolution, flow and absorption by plants. In similar soil structures, the ability of humic substances to retain water near the root system of plants is close to seven times higher than that of clay particles in the same soil. Therefore, when using a fertiliser containing humic substances, one can achieve higher yields even during longer periods of drought. Humic substances play an important role in ensuring the soil buffering capacity, which makes the soil more resistant to acidification.

Humic substances affect reactions to metal ions by reducing their toxicity, i.e. compounds made of humic substances and heavy metals are less toxic to plants (for example, mercury and cadmium compounds), or they become insoluble inside the compound (lead compounds), so that the plant cannot absorb the heavy metals. For example, by maintaining the soil pH value close to neutral reaction, it is ensured that AI compounds are insoluble and plants do not absorb them in their structure. However, in compounds with metals such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ce they become more accessible to the plants and act as microelements. Humic substances also stimulate the absorption of plant NPK macronutrients. In soils with high humus content, the amount of various metal compounds (carbonates, oxides, sulphides, hydroxides) is reduced.

By comparing the impact of humic substances on the plant root growth, it was concluded that root systems of plants treated with humic substances or grown in a soil that is rich in humic substances were 20-50% larger.

The use of humic substances improves the soil structure, seed germination and development, speeds up the sprouting of cuttings and promotes root development, especially the root length, thus preventing leaching. The presence of humic substances increases the efficiency of pesticides (if it is necessary to destroy weeds or fight pests) by incorporating ammonia-containing chemical fertilisers, reduces the amount of toxic substances and heavy metals in the soil, stimulates microorganism growth – plant residues decompose more rapidly. Humic substances act as biocatalysts and bio-stimulants for plants, as well as stimulate plant enzymes and increase their productivity. A better resistance against plant diseases and pests is formed, increasing vegetable storing capacity.