Humalite Application for Soil Remediation.

Humalite Applications for Soil Remediation.

 

High salt contents result in low soil productivity due to reduced nutrients and water intake by plants, deteriorate soil structures, as well as reduced growth of some plants and soil organisms. Organic matters, having large molecular compounds of unique physical and chemical properties with strong affinities to most ions, would bind salts (i.e. sodium salts) making them rather insoluble in water.These trials were conducted to evaluate the use of organic matter to enhance soil productivity. The tested products contained Humalite (Low-energy coal) a rich source of soil organic matter contains low ash, insignificant levels of toxic metals, and negligible toxic organics.

In the first trial, the tested product was a liquid (10 USG/acre), which contained 10% organic matter applied to a field of Spring Wheat. It was applied with 110 lbs/acre of dry urea (46-0-0) to three zones (18 acres in total) with sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of 12.4, 29.6 and 62.9; pH of 7.1, 7.5 and 7.8; and EC of 1.5, 7.0 and 38.3 ds/m, respectively. Before the application, no yield of Spring Wheat was measurable in 2009 to 2012 for, the three zero. After the treatment in the spring of 2013, 16.7, 4.8 and 0 bu/acre yields were measured from the zones with SAR of 12.4, 29.6 and 62.9 respectively. Demonstrated the efficacy of liquefied organic matter to improve soil quality.

The second trial, involved two products.  Product A (application rate1 ton/acre)  is a dry granular product and is not readily soluble in water. It had a pH of 4.1 and contained 53.3% organic matters. Product B (10 USG/acre)  is a liquid product. It had a pH of 10.2 and contained 9.0% organic matters applied to Grass Lands. They were applied to two zones   respectively having  SAR of 15.2, pH of 7.3 and EC of 2.86 dS/m. A zone was left untreated (“Background”). The treated and Background zones had not produced any grown vegetation for years. After nine months,  Product A reduced soil SAR by 15% and Product B by 35%, and Background SAR was relatively constant. The products also reduced soil soluble ions (EC) as well. Product A reduced soil EC by 57% and Product B by 61%. The Background EC was relatively constant. Therefore, the application of Humate products to remediate soil with high soluble salts would best be achieved using a water soluble form of the product rather than a higher amount of the raw organic matter (less soluble). 

These experimental results indicate that: Humalite is an effective material for soil remediation. It improves soil quality (decreasing SAR and EC levels) resulting in a more productive land.