Humic Acid and Its Role in Plant Growth and Nutrition
The Humic acid is a naturally occurring organic substance that plays a vital role in soil fertility, plant growth, and environmental sustainability. It is a complex mixture of macromolecular compounds formed during the decomposition of plant and animal matter through humification, a long-term process that takes place in soils, peat, and sedimentary deposits such as lignite or leonardite. Humic acid is part of a larger group of organic substances known as humic substances, which also include fulvic acid and humin. Its unique chemical structure and functional groups, including carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups, give it strong chelating, buffering, and ion-exchange properties that make it extremely valuable in agriculture, environmental management, and industry.
One of the most significant applications of humic acid is in soil health and plant nutrition. When applied to soils, humic acid improves their physical, chemical, and biological properties. It enhances soil structure by binding clay and silt…