Humic acid granules and humic acid powder are two forms of humic acid. While their chemical composition is essentially the same, they differ in physical form, dissolution rate, application scenarios, and processing costs.
Definitions for Humic Acid Granules and Humic Acid Powder:
1. Humic acid granules are black/dark brown granules made from weathered coal, lignite, or peat moss through crushing and granulation. Their main functions are to improve soil aggregate structure, increase fertilizer utilization, and stimulate crop growth.
2. Humic acid powder is a black/brown macromolecular organic acid powder extracted from natural raw materials such as weathered coal, lignite, or peat moss. It is rich in active groups such as carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups and is mainly used as a soil conditioner, fertilizer synergist, and plant biostimulant.
Differences in Form and Solubility of Humic Acid Granules and Humic Acid Powder:
1. Humic Acid Granules: Usually granulated and dried, appearing as irregular granules. They have poor water solubility and require slow release of their activity through microbial decomposition in the soil or under acidic conditions. Their fertilizer effect is long-lasting and stable, lasting 6-8 months.
2. Humic Acid Powder (Raw Powder): Mostly black powder after crushing and sieving, retaining the core properties of the mineral raw material. Also has poor water solubility, but mixes more easily with soil than granules. Primarily used for basic soil improvement.
Application Methods and Functions of Humic Acid Granules and Humic Acid Powder:
1. Granular Fertilizer: Primarily used as a base fertilizer. Suitable for application to a depth of 15-20cm during deep plowing. Used for long-term improvement of soil aggregate structure and enhanced fertilizer retention capacity, especially suitable as a pre-sowing base fertilizer for field crops (such as corn).
2. Powdered Fertilizer: Mostly used for soil mixing or topdressing under specific conditions. Because it easily absorbs moisture and clumps, it needs to be stored in a dry, well-ventilated place. In the improvement of saline-alkali land, mineral-derived humic acid powder/granules can utilize its acidic properties to adsorb sodium ions, reducing soil alkalinity.
Specific effects of Humic Acid Granules and Humic Acid Powder on crops:
1. Improves soil environment: Both can improve soil aggregate structure, regulate pH (raising pH in acidic soils and lowering pH in alkaline soils), increase the number of soil microorganisms and enzyme activity, creating a favorable environment for root extension.
2. Enhances fertilizer efficiency and stress resistance: As a fertilizer enhancer, it can adsorb ammonium ions to reduce loss, activate and fix phosphorus and potassium, and improve fertilizer utilization; at the same time, it enhances crop resistance to drought, cold, and disease, and reduces flower and leaf drop caused by extreme weather.
3. Promotes growth and improves quality: It stimulates root cell division, promotes taproot elongation and fibrous root development, and solves the problem of stunted seedlings; in the later stages, it can improve fruit fullness, protein content, and color, and reduce deformed fruit.
Recommendations and Precautions for Using Humic Acid Granules and Humic Acid Powder:
1. Combination Principle: Humic acid granules and Humic acid powders cannot replace chemical fertilizers. They must be used in combination with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers or organic fertilizers to maximize their synergistic effect. For example, mineral-derived humic acid powder can be mixed with urea at a ratio of 1:3.
2. Dosage Control: Excessive application may inhibit crop growth (e.g., causing yellowing leaves or soil acidification). For foliar spraying, use water-soluble humic acid products, with a concentration strictly controlled between 0.05% and 0.1%. For fertigation, the dosage should not exceed 15 kg per acre.
3. Storage Requirements: Powdered and liquid water-soluble humic acid fertilizers are hygroscopic and should be stored in a cool, dry place away from light. Granular fertilizers have better stability, but should still be protected from rain and direct sunlight.
