On-Farm Studies on the Physical, Chemical, and Biostimulant Influence of Humic Substances on Soil Health, Fertilizer and Water-Use Efficiency.

In continuation of my three decades conducting on-farm studies on the impacts of humic substances from different humate sources, I have documented qualitative and quantitative improvements in soil health, fertilizer, and water-use efficiency. In each of our research trials, using an assortment of crops, commercial humic and fulvic acid products were comprised of randomized and complete block designs in conjunction with large-scale field demonstration plots. Our findings demonstrated that humic substances created strong organomineral complexes, along with chelating and enhanced buffering capacities. We evaluated our data from different fields in various geographical areas, using an array of cultural practices. Our water-mark sensor data and field demonstrations signified marked increases in water retention, in addition to overall water-use savings of 11.2%.

Data from humic acid (HA) trials revealed that various cropping systems and soil types responded differently to various products in relation to yield and quality. The consistent use of good quality humates (humic and fulvic acids) in our large-scale demonstration plots resulted in yield increases from 6% to 38% over several decades and an average of 21%, with quantifiable soil-quality and crop-production quality factors.