Why some customers mention humic acids as an excellent soil conditioner

Why some customers mention humic acids as an excellent soil conditioner?

A natural chelator for metal ions, promotes uptake of metal ions by roots. Humic acids and fulvic acids contain carboxyl and phenol groups that chelate or bind cation (Fe3+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ etc.) into stable organo-mineral complexes. Some of these metals are made more available to plants, because they are kept in soluble chelated form. Soil humus colloids are a focal point for cation exchange reactions, which have profound effects on soil and plant growth.

Physical, Humic acids physical modify the structure of the soil.Very small clay particles called Floccules, along with charged organic humic acids form bridges that bind to each other and to fine silt particles creating much of the long term stability for the small micro aggregates in soils.

Soil water retention is improved, when organic matter increases, both the infiltration rate and water holding capacity is enhanced. The water holding capacity of humus on a mass basis (not volume) is four to five times that of silicate clay soils.

Potassium humic acid makes soil more friable or crumbly by forming complex humus molecules thus increasing aeration of soil, and improving soil workability.

1. Darker soil, greater absorption of solar energy, warmer soil on average. Stimulates microbial flocculation of soil.

2. Chemical: Humic Acids chemically change the fixation properties of the soil.

3. Buffers and helps neutralize both acid and alkaline soils by charged colloidal particles, referred to as micelles (micro-cells) which give rise to a phenomena known as the ionic double layer. Helps improve cation - anion exchanges.

4. In acid soils humic organic complexes alleviate aluminum toxicity by binding the aluminum ions in non toxic complexes.

5. Improves uptake of nutrients and water by plants.

6. Attack soil minerals and accelerate their decomposition, thereby releasing essential nutrients as exchangeable cations.

7. Possesses high cation-exchange value, humic acids form organic soil colloids, that are surrounded by a swarm of cations Ca2+, H+, Mg2+, K+ etc. The colloids are actually convoluted chains of carbon bonded hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. The negative charges of humic fulvic acids are created by dissociated phenolic groups - OH, Carboxyl Groups - COOH and phenolic groups - OH.

8. Absorbed cations attract water molecules, which play a critical role in determining both the physical and chemical properties of soils.

9. In humid regions colloids typically are composed of Ca2+, Al3+, H+, Na+, NH4+, Mn+. In arid regions colloids are typically Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, NH4+, Mn+.