Are you worried that your crops will suffer the ill effects of yet another dry, hot summer? With much of Alberta facing smoky skies and hot temperatures this growing season, proactive soil management planning is essential to avoid crop losses and maximizing production.
When it comes to facing tricky environmental conditions, as well as rising to the needs of modern farming, Norstar Agriculture understands just how integral it is for farmers to have access to the right tools and products, like humic acid, to help their crops thrive. Made from decomposed organic matter, humic acid is a powerful source of nutrients that can help sustain and remediate soil to help sustain crops during normal and drought-growing seasons.
Humic acid helps with soil structure, nutrient availability, microbial activity and resilience, each of which is essential to crop survival during difficult growing conditions. At Norstar, we’re here to make sure that farmers have everything they need for crop vitality and more. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the in-depth benefits of Humic, as well as the benefits of trusting our team. Read on to learn more!
What is Humic Acid
As mentioned above, humic acid is a naturally occurring compound that is formed from the decomposition of plant and animal matter. Humic acids are complex molecules that are organically found in mosses, oceans, fresh waters and soils, and specifically in sediment layers known as Leonardite. It is important to note that humic is not a fertilizer, but rather a soil conditioner that acts as a bio catalyst, and stimulant for plants. You can learn more about the composition of humic acid here.
When introduced to soil, humic acid helps by enhancing the following:
Augmenting Water Retention and Drainage
One of the biggest benefits of humic acid is its ability to enhance water retention. This is especially valuable in drought conditions and in areas of Southern Alberta, where consistent heat and heavy winds can often strip the soil of vital moisture regardless of ambient temperatures. By improving overall soil structure and increasing aggregate stability, humic acid creates a porous soil environment that effectively retains moisture, promotes better drainage to avoid waterlogging, and lowers the risk of soil erosion.
Enhancing Nutrient Availability and Uptake
Humic acid acts as a chelating (binding) agent, melding with core plant nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to make them readily available to plants. In doing so, humic helps to increase the overall nutrient uptake and utilization by crops. Increased nutrient uptake and availability allow for nutrient cycling and help to reduce nutrient leaching, leading to sustainable management practices and savings due to a reduced need for synthetic fertilizer, as well as reducing environmental impact.
Stimulating Microbial Activity
Soil microbes play a vital role in nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and disease suppression, all of which contribute to soil health and fertility. Humic acid creates a suitable environment for microbial growth, fostering a robust ecosystem that sustains healthy plant growth and resilience against environmental stressors.
Protecting Against Heat Stress and Drought
Alberta continues to face increasingly hotter summers, where elevated temperatures lead to limited water supply that can be of significant detriment to crops. Humic acid acts as a safeguard against heat stress thanks to its ability to enhance water retention, improve root growth, and sustain plant vitality as a whole.
Humic acid also adds long-term benefits to your soil by slowly integrating into the dirt and incorporating with organic matter for a sustained, slow release of all of the benefits discussed above. This leads to improved soil aeration, root penetration, and water infiltration, promoting long-term soil health and productivity for future generations of crops.
Grow Better, Drought-Resistant, Crops with Humic Acid
At Norstar Agriculture, we know how challenging it can be to overcome drought conditions and maintain crop vitality. We offer humic acid to help combat high salt and sodium content, as well as low carbon levels, heat stressors, and more.
Learn more by contacting our team today!