Effect of Humic Products on Crop Production in Western Kansas.

It is generally accepted throughout the humic products industry that the crop yield benefits from applications of humic products are diminished under well fertilized and water sufficient conditions, while the greatest benefits are realized under water and/or nutrient deficient conditions. To test this concept, humic products were applied to wheat (Triticum aestivum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in the semi-arid condition of southwestern KS to evaluate yield response. Humic products “Enersol” with and without Boron and Boron only was applied to 6 inch tall alfalfa following the first cutting. Three humic products (“GrowMate”, “Enersol” and “Hydra Hume”) at full and half rates were applied to wheat at the heading growth stage following a severe snow storm that occur in western KS at the end of April. Humic products (“GrowMate”, “Enersol” and “Hydra Hume”) were also applied to dryland sorghum fertilized with 55 and 112 kg N/ha at the four leaf stage. Preliminary results show humic products did not significantly improve alfalfa yield over the control. In wheat, humic products did not significantly improve yield over the control. However, higher yield was observed at the half rate of application.