Humic and fulvic acids are closely related but unique compounds that both play an important role in creating high-quality soil and growing healthy plants. Here's how these acids can benefit cannabis.
Improve soil
Thanks to their large structure, humic acids improve the physical and chemical characteristics of soil. And with their high carbon content, they act as food for soil microbes (such as bacteria, fungi, and insects) and can therefore support the soil ecosystem.
Replenish organic matter
Humic acids can be used to reintroduce important organic matter into old soil. Overfarming, the use of chemical fertiliser and insecticides/pesticides, as well as weathering all contribute to the depletion of humus from soil. Adding humic acids back into old soil can help to replenish its levels of organic matter, attracting microbial life back into it.
Boost nutrient uptake
Both humic and fulvic acids can increase plant nutrient uptake. Humic acids, while too large to be assimilated by plants, can trap nutrients in the soil, making them more available to the roots. Fulvic acids, on the other hand, can bind to nutrient molecules and are small enough to be absorbed by plants, directly increasing nutrient uptake.
Promote strong roots
By improving soil quality, both humic and fulvic acids promote the growth of strong roots, which make for strong, healthy plants.
Boost stress response
Various studies show that plants grown in soil rich in both humic and fulvic acids respond better to stress (both environmental and pest-related).
The richest natural sources of both humic and fulvic acid are lignite (brown coal) and leonardite (a predecessor to brown coal). Both substances take thousands (or even millions) of years to form and contain compressed dead organic and mineral matter. Both lignite and leonardite are mined industrially and processed into humic and fulvic acid fertilisers.
Besides buying humic and fulvic acid fertilisers from a store, you can also source these acids (albeit in lower concentrations) from humic substances. Humic substances are also made of decayed organic matter, but take much less time to produce than leonardite or lignite. Some examples of humic substances include:
- Worm castings
- Compost
- Peat
- Manure
- Guano