As farmers seek methods to increase yields amid rising fertilizer costs, the solution may lie closer to the ground than you might think. Stronger, more resilient yields start where every crop begins _ in the soil. Fortunately, humic acid is one of the most widely used soil amendments in the Canadian Prairies. It feeds the soil, supporting microbial activity, nutrient uptake, aggregation, and overall soil composition. In this short blog with Norstar Agriculture, we’ll explore the ins and outs of how liquid humic acid can improve your soil from the ground up. We’re your local agronomy experts, proudly serving Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Let’s dive in.
#1: Increases Nutrient Uptake
For farmers throughout the prairies, humic acid is the unsung hero of field health. One of its greatest strengths is improving the bioavailability of many nutrients. From phosphorus and calcium to trace elements in soil amendments, liquid humic acid can enhance the effectiveness of various nutrients.
Take magnesium (Mg²⁺), for example, which is commonly found in various soil inputs, such as dolomitic limestone. Although magnesium is essential to plant development, its ions often compete with other nutrients for space on the soil’s cation exchange sites (CEC). Over time, unused Mg²⁺ ions can become ‘locked up’ in insoluble compounds, making them unavailable to crops. Liquid humic acid works by chelating these magnesium ions, effectively shielding them from other nutrients that would otherwise make them unavailable for dissolution.
#3: Increases Water Holding Capacity
Few farming regions experience drought like the Canadian prairies. In fact, in just the last 120 years, there have been five major drought events throughout the prairies. Despite this agricultural adversity, our farmland has developed resilience through the use of innovative and adaptive farming techniques.
One key strategy is the use of soil inputs, such as liquid humic acid, to help fields withstand dry conditions. Humic acid molecules contain numerous hydrophilic groups, which bond to moisture. These negatively charged groups work to bind to water’s positive H+ ions. The result is soil that can retain moisture, even in periods of drought.
#4: Better Aeration
Just like us, soil needs to breathe. Oxygen plays a crucial role in soil health, enabling proper respiration to occur. But when oxygen is lacking in soil, essential nutrients can’t be absorbed efficiently by roots. As a result, crops are more likely to become stunted in growth, pale in colour, or produce less productive fruits. A prairie farmer’s best weapon against this is through proper soil aeration.
Applied liquid humic acid works effectively to create soil aggregates. These are soil particles that are held together with various organic substances and bonds. As a result, soil aggregates can vary significantly in size, ranging from microaggregates to macroaggregates.
#5: Supports Healthy Microbial Activity
Healthy soil is alive soil, teeming with organic matter and microbes. Liquid humic acid is a biostimulant that supports this microbial activity. These microbes are crucial for productive, healthy, and sustained crop growth. Soil is the home to several soil-living microbes, including varieties of fungi, bacteria, and other organisms.
For example, a keystone organism in soil is the Mycorrhizal Fungi. These organisms are essential for both crop and soil revitalization. Mycorrhizal Fungi enhance phosphorus uptake by extending their hyphae (thin, hair-like roots) to access nutrient zones further. Furthermore, these fungi support a structured, healthy soil structure through their ability to support aggregate clustering.
Improve Your Soil Health with Norstar Agriculture
Healthy soil is the foundation of every productive growing season. Norstar Agriculture is here to help you reinvigorate it, with professional, hands-on guidance. Contact us today to schedule a field consultation with one of our experienced agronomists.
