What Are Humic & Fulvic Acids?
- Johanna Tanhuanpää
- Sep 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 12
Humic and fulvic acids are types of naturally occurring substances known as humic substances — organic compounds formed during the decomposition of plant and animal matter. Humic acids tend to be larger molecules, less soluble in acidic conditions, and more associated with long-term soil organic matter. Fulvic acids are smaller, more soluble (including under acidic pH), more mobile, more biologically active in some ways.
How can they be used?
Humic and fulvic acids play several important roles in soil.
They can improve soil structure by promoting aggregation and increasing soil porosity, which enhances water infiltration and root penetration. Humic and fulvic acids also have a high cation exchange capacity (CEC), allowing them to bind and exchange nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and trace elements with plant roots. They can stimulate plant growth and development by enhancing nutrient uptake, improving root growth, and promoting enzyme activity.
They have also been shown to increase plant tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought,
salinity, and heavy metals. Humic and fulvic acids can interact with soil microorganisms and
stimulate microbial activity, which plays a vital role in nutrient cycling and soil organic
matter turnover. They can also help mitigate environmental issues such as soil
degradation, nutrient runoff, and pollution by promoting soil health and fertility.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of using humic and fulvic acids are primarily related to their ability to improve soil health, enhance nutrient availability, and promote plant growth.
Some of the key benefits include:
Improving soil structure
Increasing nutrient availability
Enhancing nutrient uptake
Stimulating root growth
Enhancing plant growth
Increasing plant stress tolerance
Supporting soil biological activity
Reducing the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
