EVERYTHING ABOUT HUMATES

CONTENTS

1. A little history

2. A little theory

3. humates and crops

4. humates and the quality of produce

5. The protective effect of humates

6. humates and soil

7. humates and mineral fertiliser

8. humates and organic fertiliser

9. humates in poultry and stock farming

10. International market of humates

11. Recommendations for use

Dear Reader,

This small book was first written three years ago and was published in Russia twice. Even though humates have been used for fifty years, the first industrial production of high concentrated powders, which contained at least 70% humates, was established at the time of this book¹s first publication and used the technology developed by its author. This technology allowed the production of reasonably priced humates, so they became affordable for everyone. Apart from the Russian farmers (unfortunately, there are not a lot of them) and the large rural production associations (the former collective farms and State farms), the major buyers of humates are the hundreds of thousands of ordinary people who use them on their small plots of land, where they grow vegetables, fruit, and berries for their personal use. These people do not particularly believe in advertising, and they had to see for themselves the advantages of the humates¹ use. When convinced, they became my best advocates in advertising this wonderful product. As a result, our yearly production has more then tripled, and since 1996 we have been exporting our product to New Zealand, Italy, Israel, the USA, and Australia. There are many differences in the land cultivation and agriculture between these countries and Russia. With the help of my close business partner in New Zealand, Mr. Graeme McRae, I was able to visit this wonderful country, as well as some agricultural regions of Australia and a few Oceania islands. During these visits, I met with many farmers, scientist, agriculturists, and businessmen. I was able not only to share my knowledge with them but to learn many new and interesting things. Earlier, I established a close relationship with the noted American Agronomist Dr Robert Faust, who owns a farm in Hawaii. He was the first foreign scientist to test my products. His knowledge, experience, research and authority on Humates played an important role in introducing our products to the international market. Our collaboration, as well as the meetings and my own

observations during the trip, considerably enriched my prior experience. As a result, this updated version of my book was translated into English, and I invite you to read it.

1. A LITTLE HISTORY

Approximately fifty years ago, Lydia Khristeva, of Kherson University, USSR, made an important discovery. She educed humic acid in a form of sodium salt solution from ordinary soil, watered plants with it, and discovered that plants considerably increased their growth while developing a strong root system. Thus, the biological activity of the humates was discovered for the first time. Professor Lydia Khristeva dedicated all of her following scientific career to this study. She was able to educe the humates from Ukranian coal and together with her colleges and students carried out dozens of experiments using a wide variety of plants. Later, they were joined by the scientists from Belorussia, who educed the humates from peat; the scientists from Moscow, who educed the humates from brown coal; as well as the scientists from Uzbekistan and the other regions. In the middle of the 1950s, the scientists from Irkutsk, lead by a professor of the Irkutsk university, Valentina Larina, started studying the problem seriously, since massive reserves of humic acid were discovered by then in some Siberian coal-fields. By the way, my first student scientific work at the chemistry department of Irkutsk university was dedicated to this subject. Later, similar research was conducted in Czechoslovakia, Italy, and the USA. Gradually, the results were accumulated on how the humates were used in agriculture, poultry and stock breeding, as well as in technical fields. These results were widely discussed in scientific publications and at scientific conferences but still remained little known to the general public. The main reason for that, I feel, was a lack of effective and reliable technology for the humates¹ production. At that time, the humates were educed from brown coal and peat by extraction with diluted alkaline solution. It was virtually a laboratory method reconstructed under industrial conditions. In 1993 we received a patent on our method of the humates¹ production, which allowed us not only to dramatically cut the costs but also to deliver a more concentrated product. Since then, the price of the humates decreased by five to six times, and they became affordable to hundreds of thousands of people in Russia. High quality and low price of our product ensured its success on the Russian and oversees markets.

2. A LITTLE THEORY

The term ³humus² has been known to science for over two hundred years. Humus is a transformation product of the animal and vegetable organisms¹ remains, which are much more resistant to the further decomposition than the initial bio-mass. Dozens of hypothesises were offered to explain the process of humus formation. None of them gave an exact answer why the inexorable process of dead organic matter decomposition in the soil does not come to its completion (which would be carbonic acid and water) but stops at a certain stage, when comparatively simple decomposition products, such as phenols, carbohydrates, and amino-acids transform into much more complex compounds - the humic acids.

Humic acid is a substance of very complex structure (its molecular mass is 1500), which is practically insoluble in water, except for a very small part called fulfonic or fulvic acids.

Fig. 1. Diagram of the structure of the humic acid fragment.

These fragments use hydrocarbon bonds to create molecule forming chains, which in their natural state are rolled into a ball. These balls form large aggregates that constitute the organic part of the soil - humus. Because of their low water solubility, biological activity of the natural humic acids is very poor. Therefore, in order to ensure fertility of the soil, its humus content should be rather high; similar to the famous chernozem (black soils in the south of Russia). However, the treatment of the humic acid by alkaline agents, as Lydia Khristeva did, transforms it into water soluble salts, sodium and potassium humate.

ÎÍ Î- +

HUMIC ACID + Na OH = HUMATE + Na + H2O

ÑÎÎÍ ÑÎÎ-

The above illustrates how, as a result of this treatment, hydrogen atoms in carboxyl and hydroxyl groups are replaced by alkali-metal ions. As a result of the following dissociation, the humate molecule acquires a charge. These charges are located throughout the molecular chain. The charge-charge repulsion takes place, and the ball unrolls, allowing the humic acid molecules to pass into solution and to become biologically active. Each functional group shown on the fragment has its own function. There are many of these groups, therefore the influence of the humates on all stages of plants¹ growth and development is versatile. For example, carboxyl (ÑÎÎÍ) and phenol (OH) groups are able to form chelate complexes with micro-elements and transport them into plants in this form. They also provide a high ion-exchange capacity of these compounds. Other groups, which are called quinones (ÑÎ=Ñ Í =ÎÑ), contain non-localised charges, which are able to capture and accumulate solar energy. At the right moment, when a vegetable cell needs it, electrons supply the energy to the cell and increase the cell¹s own energy. These two particular examples illustrate only partially the humates¹ influence. An important role is played not only by the existence of functional groups but also by their mutual location. Nature made sure they were located in a way that allowed the humic acids and ions of metals to interact in the most optimal direction for plant development.

Analysing the results of research conducted by different scientists, we were able to create a diagram of the humates¹ effect on a complex system water-plant-soil. (See Fig. 2.)

We determined 16 factors of the humates¹ effect, and each of them, independently from the others, leads to a certain result. As a pianist touches the piano keyboard and creates a beautiful melody, the humates influence the plants during their different growth stages, which leads to wonderful results. It is no coincidence that the leading

Russian soil scientist, Professor Dmitry Orlov, considers humic acids a connecting link in the evolution of animate and inanimate matter.

Fig. 2. Diagram of interaction of the humates and the system water-plant-soil.

Let¹s look at the simple system humate-water. The research carried out at Irkutsk university (D. A. Kalabin, D. F. Kushnaryov) found the dependence in NMR spectral parameters of water, its structure, and concentration of the humates dissolved in it. When the concentration of the humate reaches 0.005-0.009 % (this particular concentration is recommended for watering plants), 17Î signal increases from 52.7 Hertz to 103 Hertz, which indicates structurisation of water.

The course of the curves in Fig. 3 shows that the humates cause water to obtain the structure of melted water (previously frozen), which is known to have a medicinal effect on animate organisms and plants.

Fig. 3. The connection between value of NMR signal and humate concentration

.

The system humate-plant can be characterised by two independent processes that are very important to plants¹ growth and development. The first process is the increase in the cell¹s energy and the intensification of ion-exchange process as a result of it. Nature made sure there were quinoid groups in a humic acid structure. Electrons of the four conjugated p-bonds are able to capture a quantum of solar energy accompanied by a transition to a higher energy level. They accumulate the energy and supply it to the cell when needed. It intensifies the ion-exchange process. As a result, the root system develops more rapidly, and special ferments form to improve the plants¹ resistance to unfavourable conditions, such as drought and frost. These ferments also assist the process of nitrogen assimilability that does not lead to the formation of nitrates. At the same time, the synthesis of chlorophyll, sugars, vitamins, essential amino-acids, and oils accelerates.

The second process is the increase in penetrability of the cell membrane. (T. L. Senn and A. R. Kingman, 1973.) It facilitates the penetration of nutrients into the cell and accelerates the respiration of the plants. It is important to point out that this process is rather elective. For example, the penetration of potassium ions increases a hundred times while sodium penetration increases ten times, which favourably influences plants¹ nourishment.

A particularly large number of processes can be observed in system humate-soil. The humic acids are natural complex generators. All essential micro-elements, being the variable-valence metals, form chelate complexes with the humates. This is a determinant for plants¹ nourishment. As for heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, chrome, cadmium, and others, their penetration into fruit and further into the human

and animal organisms leads to serious illnesses. The humates form insoluble compounds with heavy metals, which creates the barrier for their penetration into the cell. With the use of space photography, it was established that the regions with soil rich in humates have higher ecological balance in spite of the intensive technogenic pressure. Another important quality of the humates is their ability to bond iron and aluminium ions into complexes, since their excess amount in soil results in poor phosphorus nutrition of the plants. Iron forms complexes with the humates, which ensures its transportation to the plants, while aluminium creates insoluble compounds with the humates, which neutralises damaging effect of aluminium on phosphates. Long-term wide scale experiments have been conducted in Russia which showed that humates neutralise the negative effects of residual amounts of pesticides (atrazine was used in tests). It ensures good crop capacity and ecological purity of the product. For the countries with cold and moderate climates it is very important that the humates have the ability to change the colour of soil to a darker colour. Forming the colouring, the humates change thermal conditions. For instance, cold clay soils become warmer. Colloidal structure of the humic acid and the high level of hydrophilicity of terminal functional groups give them the ability to gelatinise. That is how many researches explain the increase in soil water retention after the humate treatment. This is particularly important for drought-afflicted regions.

We have already mentioned the important role of interaction between the humates and metals which results in formulation of complexes and insoluble salts. It was discovered that this process is very important not only for nourishment of the plants but also for soil structuring. The humate reacts with potassium, magnesium, aluminium, and iron that are always present in soil, and forms organomineral bridges that bond mechanical particles of the soil into a certain structure. This structure is capable of withstanding erosion, retaining water and air, and creating favourable conditions for the existence of the micro-organisms. It is no coincidence that the increase in the activity of all types of soil micro-organisms with the presence of the humates has been noted by all researchers. Efficient functioning of micro-organisms is the vital part of humus formation. That is why the humate treatment is the only effective measure to restore the fertility of soil emaciated by intense exploitation, as well as soil that has not been originally rich with humus.

Note that the humate molecules, which entered the soil structure as described earlier, contain a lot of functional groups capable of ion-exchange reactions. Therefore, the soil¹s ion-exchange capacity dramatically increases in their presence. Humates in soil are a treasury where nutrients are stored and supplied to the plants when needed.

Concluding my remarks to the presented information, I¹d like to point out that the acknowledged 16 factors are not the results of purely theoretical preconditions. Each of them was experimentally proven by both laboratory analysis and wide scale field tests. Naturally, in all cases there has been a general effect of direct increase in crop capacity, quality of the agricultural product, and the ecological purity.

3. HUMATES AND CROPS

Information from the previous chapters answer the question: Why do humates stimulate growth and plant development? In this chapter I shall try to answer the question: How does this happen? On one level, experience of Humates usage has a 50 year history and during that time a huge amount of practical material has been accumulated, but on another level, the new technology relative to the Irkutsk Humates production, characterizes a new stage of development. Today we have evidence that this new technology allows us to not only decrease production costs, but to produce a new high quality product. Firstly, let us consider the 50 year experience of Humate usage, based on brown coal and peat, then consider and analyze content and quality of Irkutsk humates and the results of their usage.

Long-term experience in the use of humates in Russia has shown that their presence is important during all stages of plants¹ development but particularly vital in the early stages. That is why the pre-planting treatment of seeds is very important. Even before germination begins, vital forces are awakened, and the immune system is stimulated. A young sprout develops a strong root system, and its endurance increases. Intensification of the root system growth was studied on barley. (L. Ekaterinina, T. Kukharenko, 1971.) As a result of humate treatment, the root length of the plants increased by 2.5 times, and average stem length increased twice, in comparison with the control group. Similar results were obtained in the course of other research and were confirmed by the experience of California citrus growers. (T. Senn & A. Kingman, 1973.) The well-known American agronomist and ecologist, Dr. Robert Faust, demonstrated it on the following photograph.

Fig. 4. Development of the root system of Bulgarian capsicum. (Picture by R.Faust)

The treatment of seeds is particularly important for potatoes. Soaking the potato tubers in the humate solution prior to planting is practically the only necessary operation in treatment of potatoes, especially since spraying the vegetating potato plants can lead to growth of the over-ground parts of the plant at the expense of the tubers¹ development. As you will observe in the following photograph, the treatment of the tubers prior to planting results in an increase of quantity and vigour of the shoots.

Fig. 5. Potatoes after the humate treatment (b) in comparison with the control group (a).

(Photo by V. I. Butakov, Irkutsk, 1998) a b

Naturally, the strengthening of the root system and stems has a positive effect on crops. As plants develop, however, other factors are involved. A strong, developed root system provides plants with the necessary nutrients of a higher quality. Because they are already a part of a certain organic structure, the humates¹ chelate complexes with micro-elements can penetrate into the cell more easily than ordinary ions. The humates increase the penetrability of a cell membrane and, as a result, are conducive to potassium retention in intra-cell fluid, which leads to the increase of cell division. Due to the additional energy supply, a photosynthesis process in the cells proceeds more intensively, leading to an increased amount of chlorophyll. A determining factor in plants¹ growth, nitrogen assimilation proceeds more rapidly, and nitrate formation is averted. All together, it leads to an increase in crop capacity. Throughout a long-term history of humate use at the experimental fields, plots, green-houses, and gardens a lot of data has been collected and published. In mean form, these results are presented in the following diagram. (See Fig. 6.)

Fig. 6. Humates and the increase in crop capacity in agriculture.

It is important to note that the tests (particularly the ones on vegetables planted in both open and closed conditions) were carried out on a wide scale, which ensured accuracy of the results. For instance, the tests of the oxy-humate preparation were simultaneously carried out at twenty green-house farms in Ukraine and Belorussia. The test technology included soaking of the seeds prior to planting in water-based humate solution, as well as two-time watering of the vegetating plants and prophylactic spraying with the humates against disease. Complex tests of non-ballast humates educed from brown coal of the Kansk-Achinsk and Dnepropetrovsk coal fields, as well as coal fields near Moscow, were carried out. Tests on vegetables, wheat, cotton, and other cultures were carried out in dozens of hectares of open fields in different regions of the country. Average humate consumption amounted to 5-10 kg/hectare or 400 litres of 0.005% solution per treatment. When the first industrial production of ballast humates was established during the 1960s in Ukraine, at the Semenovsky mineral wax works, up to 60 tons per year were used for agricultural needs.

Thus, with this extensive research it was established that humates are conducive to a direct increase in the yield capacity of most agricultural crops.

Important data in humate use in floriculture was also published. The root and non-root treatment of arboreal plants (such as Crimean pine), shrubs (three types of roses), and lianas by the ammonium humate was tested at the Donetsk botanical gardens. (Science Academy of Ukraine.) The increase in growth of these plants, particularly of roses and lianas, by the end of vegetation reached 1.3-2 times, compared with the control group. In 1990-1992, humates were used for treatment of roses, tulips, hydrangea cuttings, and socotra, as well as for singling of plants. In all cases, the flowering accelerated by 5-10 days, while the amount and size of the buds and their stamina improved. Other research proved the effectiveness of humate use in ornamental gardening.

Irkutsk Humates The mentioned data was published in the 1960s-1980s, and it generalised the experience of using the humates educed according to the old extracting technology. These humates were educed from Belorussian peat and brown coal from Ukraine, the Kansk-Achinsk coal fields, as well as coal fields near Moscow. As it was mentioned earlier, these products were not cost-efficient, and their use in the republics of the USSR was confined to individual, though wide scale, tests. With the creation of the Irkutsk high-concentrate humates, substantial changes took place, both quantitative and qualitative. It was proven by new research and by field tests carried out in the Irkutsk region during the last three years.

Obviously, the quality of any preparation depends on its composition, which in turn depends on the initial raw materials. Brown coal and peat contain a 25% to 50% mineral component which is mostly composed of silicon compounds, as well as calcium and magnesium salts. After alkali treatment, these salts, along with the humic acid salts, pass into solution in high concentrations. They form water-insoluble compounds with low biological activity. That is why many technological conditions recommend acid pre-treatment of raw materials prior to alkali treatment in order to remove most of the mineral ballast. However, the process was so complicated by this operation that it was not widely used in practice. It also made the process much more expensive and presented the problem of acid waste treatment. The technology developed to produce Irkutsk humates is free of these drawbacks because it uses naturally oxidised coal of weathering crust, containing at least 75%-80% humic acid and not more than 8%-10% mineral compound. It also allows further oxidation of the coal during the process, which increases the output of biologically active components. Thus, Irkutsk humates contain a minimal amount of both mineral and organic ballast. Table 1 (See below) is based on the research data obtained during the studies of different humates with the use of NMR spectroscopy at Irkutsk university. (B. Levinsky, D. Kalabin, D. Kushnaryov, 1995.)

Table 1. Characteristics of the commercial samples of humates.

The manufac-turer	The contents of ashes in inutial raw Material,%	The general contents of humates in commoditiproduct,%	Fragmentary structure on functional groups, %						Total, %
			Ketones	Kinones	Carboxyles	Polyphenols & N- replaced	Aromatics & Heterocycles	Aromatic protonation atoms of carbon	Biologically active	Biologically unactive
³Gumat LTD¹ IRKUTSK, RUSSIA	8 - 10	70 - 80	1,7	3,4	6,8	19,4	7,8	44,7	83,8	16,2
³MARS Ltd² Stupino, RUSSIA	29 - 32	24 - 26	-	-	0,4	26,3	7,1	46,4	79,9	20,1
Joint-stock company ²KUBOST², MOSKAW, RUSSIA	36 - 43	19 - 20	-	0,5	1,0	29,05	5,4	36,5	72,6	27,4
SPP ³VIOST² MOSKAW	29 - 32	24 - 26	-	0,8	1,0	30,7	5,0	24,9	62,4	37,6
The plant of ozokerit ALECSAND-RIA UKRAINA	20 - 24	35 -36	0,8	0,9	3,1	24,2	5,6	28,8	63,4	36,6

It was discovered that Irkutsk humates contain more biologically active components, and it directly affects their use. Practical tests confirmed it. In 1996, the experiments on potatoes and oats were carried out. (M. Butyrin.) The results showed crop capacity of potatoes and oats increased by 22% and 61%. Particularly good results were obtained when testing cucumbers and carrots, with a crop capacity increase of 80% and 60%. These are twice the average indices in the diagram.

The data presented in Fig. 7 is particularly important. It shows the connection between the humate solution concentration and the crop capacity of carrots. The extreme increase in the crop capacity when the concentration reaches 0.015% (0.009% of pure humate) confirms, once more, our recommendation of using only diluted solutions, accordingly to data in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7. The connection between the increase of the crop capacity in carrots and the humate concentration in the spraying solution.

Other interesting data was obtained in strictly comparable conditions when testing cucumbers. Mineral fertiliser and humus were used on the control group, while the humates were used along with the same fertiliser on the experimental group. A total of 30 kg of humate per hectare was used to spray crops four times a season with 0.015 % humate solution. The seeds were also soaked for 48 hours in 0.04% humate solution prior to sowing. The results of these experiments are presented in Table 2.

Table 2

The effect of humates on cucumber crops. (Irkutsk young naturalist station, 1997.)

Indices Humate tests Control group

Date of sowing 13.06.97 13.06.97

Beginning of flowering 15.07.97 17.07.97

Average flower-bearing

amount 5 4

Beginning of ripening 27.07.97 02.08.97

Crops, ton/hectare 45 25

Along with the published results of the tests, there are also the experiences of gardeners, who used the humates for a number of years. Some of them achieved unique results in taking of cultivated trees (their stamina improves), as well in increasing the crop capacity of potatoes (60-90 tubers per plant) and strawberries (flower-bearing increased up to 120-170 per plant). However, in some cases there were no visible results. We will mention the possible reasons for that later, when we talk about the use of humates. It is important to realise that the increase in crop capacity is just a visible effect of humate use. It is neither the only nor the most important effect, since there are many other means to increase the crop capacity. Other effects of humic preparation use include an increase in the quality of the produce.

4. HUMATES AND THE QUALITY OF PRODUCE

One of the most important biological activity factors of humates is the quality characteristics of the produce. Wide research noted the increase in produce quality which was achieved in two independent ways: by accumulating biologically active nutrients and by decreasing the amount of harmful admixtures. The latter happens due to the protective effect of humates and will be looked at in detail in the next chapter.

Nutrition value and taste quality of the produce depends on its vitamin, sugars, phosphorus, nucleic acid, and oil content. Data published in the 1970s is summarised in the following diagram. (See Fig. 8.)

Fig. 8. Humates and the quality of produce.

We can see that an increase in the vitamin and sugar content takes place in the presence of the humates, and it determines taste and goodness. Unfortunately, the quantitative data on the Irkutsk humates is not available yet, however, we have a number of interesting feed-backs from our foreign customers. The New Zealand company ³BioStart² tested our humates in vineyards and reported a considerable improvement in vine quality. Farmer George Moala (Tonga) wrote to us, ³I used your product on six hectares of watermelons. Even though the increase in crop capacity was not substantial, the watermelons ripened a week earlier, and, most importantly, I have never eaten such sweet watermelons.²

The use of humates guarantees high quality, vitamin-rich produce.

5. the protective effect of humates

The increase in ionised radiation and pollution of our environment with herbicides, pesticides, heavy metal compounds, and other toxic mutagenic and carcinogenic substances presents a real danger to living organisms today and their progeny in the future. Considering the soil pollution by water soluble heavy metal salts in the industrial regions and the long-term excessive use of mineral fertiliser, pesticides, and herbicides in agricultural regions, the crops, particularly vegetables and root-crops, accumulate excess amounts of harmful admixtures. That is why the creation of pure agricultural technologies is one of the most important tasks of our time.

The protective effect of humates develop in the following directions:

1. Protection from radioactive irradiation and its consequences.

2. Protection from harmful admixtures in the atmosphere, soil, and subsoil waters in technogenic districts.

3. Protection from the consequences of the pesticides and other chemicals used in agriculture.

4. Protection from unfavourable environmental factors in zones of risky agriculture.

5. Decrease in content of the nitrates that form when nitrogen fertiliser is used.

Long-term research showed that humic substances bond many organic and

non-organic substances into poorly soluble or insoluble compounds, which prevents their penetration from soil into subsoil waters and growing plants. It reduces the toxic effect of residual amounts of herbicides, soil polluting radionuclides, heavy metals, and other harmful substances, as well as radiation and chemical contamination. Tests showed that even after 50% affection of the plant, its vital functions are completely restored due to the humic preparation effect. This unique quality of humates is particularly important for the regions in Russia, Belorussia, and Ukraine that are contiguous to the Chernobyl region. In the future it could be used to gradually restore contaminated land.

Modern floriculture in not possible without the use of different chemicals necessary to fight weed, pest, and plant disease. It is widely known, however, that the use of those chemicals causes a number of negative effects due to their accumulation in the soil. The infamous fact of DDT accumulation led to its complete banning. However, DDT appearance still occasionally occurs in crops. Science proved that sodium humate reduces the damaging effect of the pesticide atrazine by increasing its decomposition, which leads to an increase in the crop capacity of barley.

The use of humates in zones of risky agriculture is particularly important. Unfortunately, most territories of Russia can be considered risky. In the south, the humates help to fight the effect of droughts, since it has been established that the humate treatment of plants ensures their drought resistance. In Siberia and in the north of Russia, humate treatment can save the plants from late frosts. In the 1960s, a corn crop was saved by colleagues of Irkutsk university, after an unexpected frost. In 1996, in the Angarsk region, a strong frost happened on the 19^th of June. The parts of the potato fields that had been treated with the humates were the only undamaged parts.

Watering soil with a 0.01% sodium humate solution substantially increases the biological activity of the soil and boosts plants resistance against the harmful waste in technogenic zones of chemical and coking industries. In 1998, in Buryatia, wide scale tests were carried out in treating of saline soils with humates. The results showed a 214% increase in crops of green herbage, in comparison with the control group.

The ability of humates to create complexes and their high sorption activity are used to bond the ions of heavy metals in contaminated soil. That is why increased amount of humates (up to 20-30 kg per hectare) should be used on contaminated soil to ensure the contact and create favourable conditions for forming of complexes.

Humates accelerate water-exchange processes and physiological processes in the cell and participate in oxidation processes at the cell level. They are conducive to complete assimilation of mineral nutrients in the plant, particularly in abnormal cases, such as saline soils, drought, and other unfavourable environmental factors.

An important quality of humates is their ability to decrease the level of nitrate nitrogen in produce. It was proven by tests on a variety of crops (oats, corn, potatoes, root-crops, lettuce, cucumbers) that humate use decreases the nitrate content by 50% on average. At the Dnepropetrovsk agricultural institute, field tests were carried out on chernozem. Two crop cultures were tested - corn and barley (as second in the crop rotation). The herbicide atrazine (4 kg per hectare) was used on the corn. The results showed that atrazine reduced the growth of weeds by 80% and increased the crop capacity of the corn by 19%-20%. However, the residual amounts of the herbicide reduced the crop capacity in barley, which was sown after the corn in crop rotation, by 16%. The use of sodium humate considerably changed the situation. It stimulated corn growth and increased the crop capacity by an additional 10%, while the nitrates content (NO3) in the corn of honey and pearl ripeness decreased from 280.1 mg/kg to 199.7 mg/kg in laboratory tests and to 707 mg/kg in field tests. Barley grown after the corn was noted to improve its germination, growth, and mass gaining, while containing less atrazine and more chlorophyll in the leaves. The crop capacity of the barley increased by 5.2 centner per hectare, with a total crop capacity reaching 30.9 centner per hectare. It was also noted that the atrazine content in the final produce decreased by 52%-71%, which made it an ecologically pure produce.

Thus, humic preparations are the reliable protection for plants and crops against harmful admixtures from our environment (soil, subsoil waters, rain-water, and the atmosphere), which is more polluted each day. They also protect crops from unfavourable environmental factors (drought, ionising radiation, etc.).

6. HUMATES AND SOIL

The fertility of the soil was always related to its humus content. It was determined that humic substances participate in the regulation of most important characteristics. First of all, they are accountable for the colouring and, therefore, thermal conditions. It is particularly important for cold clay soil which under the effect of humates becomes warmer. Secondly, long-term humate treatment is conducive to the improvement of soil structure. When humates enter the soil, they form potassium and magnesium humates that bond mechanical element of the soil and act as organomineral bridges between aggregates. Thirdly, one of the important qualities of humates is their ion-exchange activity. It ensures humates¹ ability to regulate the process of transformation of mineral nutrients in soil-plant system. Fourthly, humate treatment increases water saturation of soil. It is particularly important for sandy soils. Its water saturation ability increases by more than ten times after humate treatment. The same principal applies when preparations are used for melioration. Fifthly, the most important challenge of our times is restoration of the fertility of the soil in suburban zones of the industrially developed regions. Modern ecological overload makes the soil¹s natural self-rectification with micro-organisms insufficient. Traditionally, organic fertilisers (manure, compost) were used to increase biological activity of the soil and to improve its self-rectification. However, in spite of high nutritious value of these products, their bond with organic mass is too close, and it decreases their assimilation. That is why these products are used in large quantities (up to 60-80 ton/hectare). Introduction of humic substances solves the problem very effectively.

Humic substances determine the structure and the fertility of the soil. They are an effective measure in solving ecological problems, such as pollution of soil and subsoil waters by chemicals used in agriculture.

7. humates and mineral fertiliser

Intensive agricultural systems demand the use of large quantities of mineral fertilisers in order to supply the plants with basic micro-elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In doing so, we often forget that mineral fertiliser is for plants what illegal drugs are for sportsmen - you can immediately see high results but tend to ignore the future consequences. The higher the amount of mineral fertiliser used, the more intensive is the erosion of the soil, the poorer the soil¹s humus content, and the environment is more polluted. The problem of effective mineral fertiliser assimilation is central in plant-growing. The difficulty of its solution lies in the fact that water soluble potassium and nitrogen fertilisers are easily washed out of the soil, while phosphorus fertilisers, on the contrary, bond with ions of Ca, Mg, Al, and Fe that are present in soil and form inert compounds, which are inaccessible to plants. The presence of humic substances, however, substantially increases effective assimilation of all mineral nutrition elements. It was shown in the tests of barley that humate treatment (with NPK) improved its growth, development, and the crop capacity while decreasing the use of mineral fertiliser. (V. Kovalenko, M. Sonko, 1973.) The tests on wheat showed that one-way use of nitrogen fertilisers on winter wheat crops did not have a high positive effect on the crop capacity, while its use

along with humates and superphosphate achieved an expected positive effect. (L. Fot, 1973.) Interestingly, the mechanism of interaction between humates and micro-elements of mineral nutrition is specific for each of them. Nitrogen assimilation occurs due to intensification of ion-exchange processes, while negative processes of nitrate formulation decelerate. Potassium assimilation accelerates due to selective increase in penetrability of cell membrane. As for phosphorus, humates bond ions of Ca, Mg, and Al first, which prevents the formation of insoluble phosphates. That is why the increase of humate content leads to an increase of the plant¹s phosphorus consumption. (Lee & Bartlett, 1973.)

Therefore, the combination of humates and mineral fertiliser guarantees their effective assimilation by plants.

Thus, the idea of combined use of humates and mineral fertiliser naturally comes to mind. Creation of such a combined fertiliser is a new step in plant-growing development. It was no coincidence when over ten years ago an Italian company, ³ Vineta Mineraria,² published a project, ²Umex: a new technological tool at service for agriculture of 2000.² This project was about establishing the production of humate-coated granulated nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus fertilisers. From 1988 to 1990, in Belorussia, the vegetation field tests and production experiences were carried out to comparatively study new humate-coated forms of mineral fertilisers, such as urea, superphosphate, and potassium chloride, produced in Italy and Russia. The tests showed that use of humate-coated urea in the production experiences with potatoes increased the crop capacity by an average of 28-31 centner/hectare, whilst at the same time decreasing the nitrate content by 40%, in comparison with the control group (urea). For root-crops, the crop capacity reached 200-220 centner/hectare, with an improvement in the quality of the produce. However, in spite of the impressive results, this project was not developed further, and these new preparations did not appear on the international markets. Perhaps, the high cost of the humates, in comparison with the mineral base, was the reason, so the new type of fertiliser was not competitive. A new technology in humate production substantially reduced the cost, which allowed the company, ³Gumat,² to sort out the economic and industrial problems and in 1996 begin the production of a new type of fertiliser. An experimental lot of humate-coated urea was distributed among gardeners in the Irkutsk region and received excellent feed-back.

Field tests (M. Butyrin, 1996) showed that use of humate-coated urea increased the crop capacity of potatoes by 20% and that of oats - by 50%.

Other important components of plants¹ nutrition are micro-elements - Fe, Cu, Zn, B, Mn, Mo, Co. Plants use a very small amount of them, measured in one thousandth or one hundred thousandth of a percent. Nevertheless, they are vital to plants¹ development. For instance, boron treats certain diseases and increases the amount of ovaries and vitamin content in fruit. Manganese is vital for the photosynthesis process and the formulation of vitamin C and sugars. Copper assists in albumen synthesis, which ensures drought and frost resistance in plants, as well as their resistance to fungal and viral infections. Zinc is part of many vegetable ferments participating in fertilisation, breathing, albumen, and carbohydrates synthesis. Molybdenum and cobalt are important to nitrogen assimilation from the atmosphere. Considering what was said in previous chapters, the readers might pay attention to our explanations of

similar effect. We explained it was due to humate use. But if you consider that the humates transport micro-elements to plants most efficiently and form complexes with micro-elements that are easily assimilated by plants, the seeming contradiction is easily resolved.

Humic acids form complexes naturally. For thousands of years, they accumulated vital elements. When applied, humic acids also extract these vital elements from the soil in an accessible way for plants to form. For example, iron and manganese, according to respected professor D. Orlov, are assimilated only in humic complex form. Research by A. Karpukhin showed that the presence of these complexes determine the mobility of most macro- and micro-elements and their supply and travel inside plants¹ organs.

Therefore, treating vegetating plants with humates ensures their continuous nutrition with vital macro- and micro-elements.

For an extended period, different compounds that contained micro-elements were produced as micro-fertilisers in Russia and overseas. In Russia, there were a number of preparations with trade names such as ³Violet,² ³Cactus,² ³Sudarushka,² ³Berry,² and others. Overseas products included ³Kemira² (Finland), ³Tracel CP² (New Zealand), and many others. These preparations appear rather expensive, and in order to improve efficiency, a number of companies went over to the production of complex products with essential content of humic acids. For example, an Australian company, ³Ag Solutions,² produces a preparation ³Natra Min,² which contains on average 50% humic acids and a complete group of micro-elements. In 1998, an Irkutsk company, ³Gumat,² began the industrial production of a preparation under the trade name of ³Gumat +7.² It contained at least 65% high quality humates and a complete group of all the essential micro-elements. Tests of this product in 1998 showed excellent results. The content of these preparations is shown in Table 3.

Table 3

Comparative characteristics of complex preparations that contain the humates and micro-elements.

Content, % Recommended dose,

Preparation K Fe Mn Cu B Zn Mo Co C kg/hectare

Natra Min 2.7 5.5 0.1 .006 .002 .015 .0006 .0025 35 250

Gumat+7 5.0 2.0 1.0 .300 .600 .320 .0600 .0200 37 5

As you can see by in Table 3, the content and the recommended dose of these preparations differ substantially. In our preparation, carbon is represented by biologically active humate, while the micro-elements content is higher by 10-100 times, which leads to a decrease in the amount of the preparation used by fifty times. Our Gumat Ltd technology allows obtaining of micro-elements in their chelate form that is easily assimilated by plants, which provides our product with unique properties. Dr. Faust (USA) carried out comparative tests (See Fig. 9) on Bulgarian capsicum. The results showed that when plants were virally infected, only ³Gumat+7² treatment stimulated their immune system and saved the plants from disease. Gardeners in the Irkutsk region combined humate root fertilising with ³Gumat+7² non-root fertilising and were able to increase the crop capacity of tomatoes and accelerate their ripening in unfavourable weather conditions (strong frosts). (See Fig. 10.) Similar results were reached in tests with currents (See Fig. 11), while more frost-sensitive cultures, such as plums, cherries, and grapes, ripened only due to ³Gumat+7² treatment. (See Fig. 12.)

Fig. 9. Capsicums after being virally infected and after treatment with humic preparations.

Photo by Dr. Faust (All rights reserved.)

1 - Control, 2 – Humasol, 3 – Humate + 7, 4 – Humasolve-R, 5 – Humate from Czech,

6 – Humate from China

1 2 3 4 5 6

Fig. 10. Tomatoes after treatment with humate and ³Gumat+7² (b) in comparison with the control group (a). The number of ovaries increased, and ripening time accelerated. Photo by V. Butakov

a b

Fig. 11. Currants after three-time non-root fertilising with ³Gumat+7² (b) and root fertilising with humate, in comparison with the control group (a). Photo by V. Butakov

a b

Fig. 12. Plums, cherries, and grapes

after treatment with ³Gumat+7.²

The control group was destroyed by frost.

Photo by V. Butakov

Excellent feed-back on the qualities of ³Gumat+7² was received from the Siberian floriculturists. According to them, prior to using ³Gumat+7,² they have never achieved such bright colours and so many large buds. (See Fig. 13.)

Fig. 13. Photos of flowers treated with ³Gumat+7.²

Photo by V. Butakov

8. humates and organic fertiliser

Humus is the basis of soil fertility. Humate is the concentration of humus¹s vital forces.

We can conclude that humate is an alternative to all types of organic fertilisers, such as humus, compost, bio-humus*, organic ooze, peat, and others. Furthermore, we have objective data to confirm this conclusion. (See Table 4.)

_______________________________________________________________________

* bio-humus - a mixture of processed poultry droppings using California worms and soil. It is produced in Russia and Ukraine.

Table 4

Humates¹ effect on crop capacity in comparison with organic and mineral fertilisers

Type of fertiliser	Dose quota, ton/ hectare	Average crop capacity, Centner/hectare		Increase in crop capacity, centner/hectare
		Potatoes	oats	potatoes	oats
The control group	-	119	138	-	-
Humus	60.00	142	174	23.0	36.0
Bio-humus	6.00	136	174	17.0	36.0
N P K	N P K	143	216	24.0	78.0
Humate	0.06	144	222	25.0	84.0
Humate + N P K	0.06	158	282	39.0	144.0

However, let¹s not rush conclusions before considering the essence of this problem. After carrying out many years of experiments, the Russian soil science concluded that combined use of organic (manure, 20 ton/hectare) and mineral fertilisers (N P K) was conducive to sustaining humus balance in the soil. However, the cost of applying manure in such large quantities decreases the profitability of the process. Data in Table 4 shows that an exchange of 20 tons of manure for 20 tons of humate is more profitable and leads to more productivity. Comprehensive proof can be obtained through many years of experiments. Naturally, we do not have this data yet. We have mentioned earlier that one of the most important factors in humus composition and accumulation is the effect of micro-organisms. Scientific studies in many countries showed that humates stimulated the development of all soil micro-organisms, such as fungi, bacteria, and ray fungi (actinomytetes). They increased soil¹ aeration and were conducive to stimulation of oxidation activity of microbes.

In other words, humates stimulate micro-organisms and therefore are conducive to humus restoration.

This idea found its reflection in a new direction, which became popular in countries with developed agriculture, such as Australia and New Zealand. The production of preparations that contained the humic acids and live micro-organisms or products of their metabolism, began in these countries. For instance, an Australian company, ³Envira Gold,² is advertising its new preparation, ³HAB-1000,² which consists of a mixture of sodium humate, nutrient medium, and special bacteria. The tests carried out by the preparation¹s developer, Ross Dive ( Ambello Bacteria Cultures Pty Ltd), showed its high efficiency both as a fertiliser and restorer of soil¹s biological activity. A New Zealand company, ³Bio-Start,² (Manager D. Plummer, Scientific Consultant G. Besamuska), developed and put on the market a preparation, ³Humic Extra,² which contains a balanced mixture of humates and biologically produced enzymes and metabolites of special types of bacteria.

I would like to mention that since the middle of 1998, the Irkutsk humates were used to produce these preparations.

Since 1998, the Irkutsk company, ³Gumat,² was developing its own production line of effective organic fertilisers treated with humates. Having an access to large quantities of high quality humus in farming areas, where fields applications were not profitable in a pure form, we developed a technology of its transformation into a highly soluble dry powder. This technology allows not only the preservation of all of the humus nutrients but also transforms them into easily assimilated forms. This product is enriched with sodium and potassium humates and, if a customer requires, mineral fertilisers and specially activated wood ash. In comparison with unprocessed humus, the application dose of this product is reduced by a dozen times. According to 1998 data, it reached 300-400 kg per hectare, while the level of crop yields increased by 80%. On the market, this product has the trade name ³Oasis².

9. Humates in poultry and stock farming

A unique capacity of humic preparation¹s is to effectively intensify metabolic processes in vegetable cells. Series of important scientific tests have shown that this is also evident in relation to animal organisms. The use of humic preparations, as part of a food supplements, has been fully researched using highly productive broiler poultry. It was established that the use of sodium humates in broilers¹ feed activated the synthetic phase of albuminous exchange. As a result, there was a 10% increase in mass growth, and the poultry¹s immunity rose by 5%-7%. In the course of these experiments, humate was added to the feed at 250 mg per 1 kg of feed, starting from the age of twenty days. In August of 1996, the industrial experiments were carried out by the Irkutsk company, ³Gumat,² together with the Megetskaya poultry farm in the Irkutsk region. Sodium humate in the form of a water solution containing 1 gram of sodium humate to 1 litre of drinking water was given to chickens from the day they hatched. This experiment not only confirmed the high efficiency of the preparation, but it also provided new data. The experiment was carried out on 11,000 chickens under the unfavourable conditions, where the quality of the incubated eggs was substantially below standard. The results showed that the exchange of vitamins and antibiotics for sodium humate in the feed caused a decrease in the poultry losses for

the first forty days by 47%. At the same time, their average weight gain increased by 10%. Once more, this data supports the brilliant hypothesis by L. A. Khristeva, who first suggested the high efficiency of the humates under unfavourable conditions. In 1998, similar tests were carried out on a wide scale at the Severny pedigree poultry breeding state farm near the town of Bratsk. The results, shown in the following diagram (See Fig. 14), confirmed the previous data. The poultry losses decreased by 50%, while the active (live) weight in five weeks increased by 30%.

a b

Fig. 14. The effect of the humate supplements on poultry loss (a) and active (live)

weight gain in poultry (b).

Very important results were also accumulated when humates were used in stock-breeding. In one of his review works , Dr. R. Faust noted that the general effectiveness of the fodder increased by 10%-20% when 1% humic acid was added to the fodder. He explained this effect by saying that the addition of the humates is conducive to the increase of red blood cells in sheep. Detailed research was carried out on 2 groups of animals: calving cows and new-born bull-calves. For 21 to 30 days, the animals in both groups were fed sodium humate at 10 mg per 10 kg of active (live) weight, in addition to the fodder. (N. Maslov and others, 1983.) It was observed that the calves born from cows that have been fed humates, within four months had a 13.4% increase, when compared to the control group. The bull-calves that had been fed with humates, had an increase of 21.2%, compared to the control group. The haematological data of animals in both humate-fed groups showed the animals had high metabolism. For example, the blood tests on experimental animals showed the haemoglobin level increasing by 11.5%, the phosphorus level increasing by 6.7%, the albumen level increased by 24.3%, and the beta-globulin level increased by 32%. Professor L. Khristeva developed a physiologically active concentrate of humic acid. The experiments showed that this preparation had a wide spectrum of pharmacological and anti-toxic characteristics. The use of humic preparations by veterinary science was based on these experiments.

Obviously, the next step would be to create medications based on humic acids. A serious scientific base already exists. The research carried out by T. Lotosh established high anti-toxic effect of humate preparations educed from peat (sodium humate). G. Pulkovoi, along with his colleagues, demonstrated the therapeutic effect of sodium humate, when rats were exposed to lethal dose of X-rays. A preparation containing fulfonic acids and colloidal silver was created by Dr. R. Faust. It is used to effectively improve general health. Interestingly, the idea of creating this preparation was adopted from the recipes of ancient Chinese medicine from the XV century.

10. international market of humates

In the beginning of this chapter, I would like to emphasise that all our conclusions mentioned earlier are correct only for high quality humate preparations. Unfortunately, not all of the preparations available on the market under the name ³humate² truly meet this requirement. Of course, it is not due to deliberate carelessness of the companies. The real reason lies much deeper - there are no agreed international standards on analysis methods or even on terminology. Many advertising booklets often do not include exact information about the contents of the product. Humic acids are often called the ³humate² and vice versa, in spite of the fact that, as we mentioned, there is a big difference between these two terms. It is possible to take brown coal directly from the pit, grind it and apply to the fields, thinking that by doing so we have increased the humus content of the soil. In reality, while introducing a certain amount of humic acids in biologically inactive form, at the same time up to 3-4 times more ballast ended up in the soil, and I am sure this ³fertiliser² can do more harm then good. Or, you can take brown coal containing 20%-30% humic acid, treat it with concentrated NaOH solution, dry the mixture slightly (a few Russian companies do just that), and claim that your product is the ³humate.² True, the product contains 25%-30% sodium humate, but mineral and organic ballast present in it would diminish all of its positive effect.

In order to create a reliable system of orientation for both local and international buyers, I suggest we divide all humic preparations into five groups:

Group 1. Brown coals and oxidised coals ready for use without any treatment. They contain humic acids in inactive form, as well as a lot of ballast. Recommended dose for application is very high, and the results are questionable, since ballast pollutes the soil.

Group 2. Humates that have been obtained by treating brown coals with concentrated alkali. These products contain 20%-30% humates in active form, but the presence of the ballast substances is still a drawback.

Group 3. Humates that have been obtained through extraction of coal or peat by

diluted alkali. They are sold in form of 7%-12% water solution. These are high quality products and do not contain ballast. However, they are expensive, and their transportation is inconvenient.

Group 4. Humates obtained from high quality tested coals that contain at least 75% humic acid. The production of these humates is often based on a new Russian technology. The content of biologically active humate reaches 80%-90%.

Group 5. Complex compounds that contain humates, micro-elements in chelate form, natural organic products derived from seaweed and fish, as well as sugars, vitamins, and special types of micro-organisms or products of their metabolism.

Characteristics of all known to me humate preparations are presented in Table 5.

Table 5

Industrial Humic Preparations

	The name of products The company The country	Contain of humic acids or humates,%	Others valuable components	Doze at to processing	The notes	Group
	К-Humate Solid (Granulat.) К-Humate (Liquid) Australian Humates Australia	98 18 or 26	(%) K-14; N-0.5; Ca - 0.7; Mg-0.7 Fe-0.9; S-0.2 (g/L) K-29.3; Ca-1.6; Mg-1.5; N-1.0; Fe-2.0; S-0.6; (mg/L) Mn-17; Zn-42;Cu-2;Co-2	2 kg/ha 5-10 L/Ha	Completely soluble potassium Humate The alkaline extract from brown coal of state Victoria	4 3
	Granular Menefee Humate	60	-	560-1120 kg/Ha	Leonardite without transfer humic acids in the active form	1
	Water Soluble ESP-50 Earthgreen Products Inc. USA	?	K; P; Ca;Fe & S	?	The alkaline extract from Menefee Humate	3
Dakota Dakota Dry Humate Earthworks Dry Humate, USA		65-75	(%)N-1.0; K-3.0; Mg-0.57;	24.5 kg/Ha	The КОН extract from coals by Northen Dacota after drying	2
Humic Acid Concentrate MELCHEM, Holland		62-66 в т.ч. фульвокисл.- 6	(% in ash) Ca-2.3; Fe-2.6; Mg-0.7;	1-5 kg/Ha	The NaOH extract from brown coals	3
Sodium Humate Mudanjiang Import & Export Corp. China		45	-	-	The product contains log huts a current of alkali (40%) and at dissolution has pH up to 11(dangerously for plants )	2
LEONAR PLUS SICO (Sap International Corp.) Belgium		15-16.5	P; Ca; Fe; Zn	1-2 L/ha	The alkaline extract from leonardite	3
AGRI-HUME GOOD and GREEN HumaTech Incorp. USA		65 8 including fulvic acids-3	- N-18	- -	Processed Leonardite Humates with the additive of nitric fertilizers	1 2
Concentrated Liquid Humic Acids HUMUS PRODUCTS OF AMERICA, Inc. USA		15	Ca. Microelements, aminoacids	2.3 L/ha	The alkaline extract from leonardite neutralized by aminoacids and salts of microelements	3; 5
Huma K Sourse TRIAD ENERGY RESURCES, USA		80	K -6.	5-25 kg/ha	The powder for reception water slip received by extraction from leonardite	4
HUMA BLEND TRIAD ENERGY RESOURSES, INC. USA		?	A product of alkaline hydrolysis from seaweed, the extract from yucca & fish protein		Is used for spraying plants & as additive to firm & liquid mineral fertilizers	5
HUMASOLVE-USA Dr. Robert Faust, USA		70	-	3-15 kg/ha	Dry extract from New Mexico¹s coal	4
GUMAT (HUMASOLVE-R) GUMAT + 7 GUMAGEL ³GUMAT Ltd Irkutsk Russia		75-85 55-65 24-32	(mg/kg) K-72; Na-45; Ca-73;Fe-13; Cu-12; Co-0,2 (%)N-2.1;K-5.0; Cu-0.5; Zn-0.4; Mn -1.0; Fe-2.0; B-0.7; Mo-0.1; Co-0.04 -	3-15 kg/ha 1-3 kg/ha 3-10 kg/ha	The product of new technology with increased content of active groups Concentrate of humate & their complexes with microelements Pastelike completely soluble concentrate of potassium and sodium humate.	4
Liquid Humic Acid Concentrate EcoTech(Aust.) Pty Ltd Australia		12	-	5-15 Kg/ha	An alkaline extract from brown coals	3
HUMATE ³KUBOST Ltd² Russia		19.8	-	5-30 kg/ha	Brown coal processed by concentrated alkali	2
HUMIKS ³MARS Ltd² Russia		25,2	-	5-30 kg/ha	Same	2
Sodium Humate The plant of ozokerite Ukraina		36.4	-	5-30 кг/га	Same	2
Potassium Humate Joint-stock company ²Organic & Mineral Fertilizers² Russia		7-8	-	35 kg/ha	Not concentrated extract KOH from brown coals	3
The Ultimate Soil Conditioner Eartworks Kick USA		20	Beneficial bacteria, Sea-kelp combines with Fe, Invert sugars	6-24 kg/ha	100%- organic fertilizer with microbes & feed for their development	5
SuperBio+Humus Nature¹s Technology, Inc.		3	N-3; Microorganissms	10-20 L/ha	A liquid nutritious mix of humates and microorganisms	5
STIMulate WSP Amenty Technology Products Ltd.		40	kelp extract 30; natural sugars,vitamins, aminoacids & bac- teria –20 ...	-	Is used as a water solution	5
STIMulate (Fe) Amenty Technology Products Ltd.		10	Fe (fully chelated) -10; extract for kelp -8; sugars, vitamins, amino-acids, bacteria -5; N & P fixing bacillus		A complex mix of humates, microorganisms, products for maintanance their ability and helates of iron	5
HAB-1000 Envira Gold Australia		20	Vermicultural Liq- uid & Agricultural Species Bacteria		Liquid product included nitritious medium and bacteria	5
Humic Extra Bio-Start New Zealand		20	Enzymes & products of metabolism of bacteria	4-6 L/ha	The balanced mix of humates and products of biowaste of special kinds of bacteri	5

As you can see from this classification, the 1^st group consists of untreated humic acids; the 2^nd - of humates containing ballast substances; the 3^rd and the 4^th - of high quality humates; the 5^th - of complex highly effective compounds containing humates of the 3^rd and the 4^th groups. These preparations are usually expensive. We recommend to use preparations from groups 3, 4, and 5, since the primary criteria of quality is the content of soluble humates in the product.

However, when we mention the quality of humates, we should not forget there are differences in content and structure of humic acids from different origins, which reflects their quality. During the tests, it is important to consider the content of quinoid, carboxyl, phenol, and amino-groups, as well as condensed aromatic nuclei. The most complete information about the quality of the humic component is given by methods of NMR spectroscopy.

In our previous chapters we demonstrated that the Irkutsk humates are noted for their high content of biologically active functional groups (See Table 1), which substantially improves their efficiency. There are four new preparations, with the Irkutsk humates as a base, that are produced: ³Gumat+7,² which was mentioned earlier; ³Gumel,² which is a preparation with added growth substances; ³Bulba,² which is a special powder for treating seed potatoes; ³Oasis,² which is an organic fertiliser containing humate that showed high efficiency with all agricultural crops. Our main distributors in Russia are: company ³Virtan-Promex,² who produces tablets ³Gumat - 80² from our high quality humates; company ³Gardener¹s Green Pharmacy,² who packages ³Gumat+7,² and other companies. In the overseas markets, our products are sold through the company ³Gumat New Zealand Ltd² (Auckland, New Zealand). In Australia, our partner is the company ³Envira Gold² (Brisbane, Australia). In the USA, we cooperate through the company ³Faust Bio-Agriculural Services, Inc.² (Honaunau, Hawaii, USA.)

11.RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE

In spite of a lot of material about humates¹ use in Russia, C.I.S. republics, Europe, and on other continents writing this chapter presented certain difficulties. First of all, the recommendations of different authors vary appreciably. Secondly, only positive experimental results are being published, which misrepresents the actual picture. Then, the soil condition, climate, and, most importantly, agricultural technology differ greatly from country to country. So, we will present this chapter by giving general recommendations first and then following with more specific recommendations for different regions and crop cultures.

The humates and soil.

American scientists were the first to notice the connection between the effectiveness of the humates and structure and content of the soil. Dr. R. Faust from the USA writes, ³As any fertiliser or soil conditioner, the humates act effectively only when the conditions are favourable. There were a few reports discrediting humates because the effect was not shown during the tests, while in reality it should not have been used there in the first place, whereas substantial results were shown in the areas where humates were necessary.² According to Dr. Faust, the use of humates is necessary on:

1. alkaline soils with low iron content;

2. sandy soils with low organic (humus) content;

3. acid podzol soils with low humus content with simultaneous liming of the soils;

4. saline soils;

5. lime soils.

As for fertile chernozem soil, one would agree that there is enough humus, and an additional introduction of the humic preparations is not necessary. It is different when we create artificial chernozem - soil with high manure or compost content. First of all, the humates are conducive to micro-flora growth, primarily, that of ray fungi, or actinomytetes (micro-organisms that have both fungi and bacteria qualities). They are able to destroy wood residuum (cellulose, hemicellulose, proteins, lignin), while accelerating the process of natural humus accumulation. Secondly, in spite of high nutrient content of these substances, they are bonded too closely with organic mass and, therefore, are not easily assimilated. Obviously, it is beneficial to treat manure and compost with the humate solution before applying them to the soil.

When are the humates used?

L. A. Khristeva and her colleagues summarised the many years of experience in humate use and noted that annual plants react best when humates are used in the beginning of plant development and during the formation of their reproductive organs. For trees, the most efficient time to use humates is after the replanting of seedlings and young trees, when the root system is traumatised. The same is true for vegetables and ornamental plants. Humates are used in all stages of plant development, starting with soaking of the seeds. O. A. Ganichkina, a candidate of agricultural science and the presenter of the popular TV and radio programs for the gardeners of Moscow, recommends making a solution of 0.5 grams of humate and 1 litre of water and soaking the seeds for 24 hours. Prior to the humate treatment, it is advised dipping the seeds for 15-20 minutes in a strong manganese solution (dark brown colour) and then thoroughly washing them with water. Place the seeds in a fabric bag when performing these operations. Similar recommendations apply to potatoes when, prior to germination, seed potatoes placed in a bath and treated successively by manganese solution and humates. Soaking of annual plants, such as aster, verbena, salvinia, petunia, nasturtium, carnation, as well as baby gladiola, grafts of balsam, dahlia, and hydrangea, should be carried out for 24 hours in 20-22 degrees C.

Further humate treatment is carried out during the plant vegetation. The amount of humate used is determined mostly by the nature of the plant. According to O. A. Ganichkina, garden cultures, such as dill, parsley, lettuce, onions, radishes, and sorrel, do not require a lot of nutrients. Therefore, it would be sufficient to water them 3-4 times during the summer with 0.015 % solution (one teaspoon of humate per one bucket of water), using 4-5 litres per square metre. Cucumbers and tomatoes are plants with a medium requirements for nutrients. They are treated with the humate solution during sowing, after the first four leaves appeared, during the flowering, and fruiting (snapping off the ends of the lateral shoots beforehand), using 6-7 litres of solution per square meter. If after planting tomatoes their stems and leaves thickened excessively, then it is best to spray humate solution directly on flower-bearing parts, rather than carry out a root treatment. All varieties of cabbage, potatoes, carrots, beetroots, and zucchini require a lot of nutrients. In case there is no opportunity for

frequent watering with humates, it is recommended increasing humate concentration twice.

For fruit-trees and berries, it is recommended carrying out a non-root humate treatment at least six times a season: before appearance of the leaves, during the budding stage, after flowering, during the gemmation (setting of fruit) period, and twice during the intensive growing of the fruit.

The seedlings and young trees are treated with humate during replanting by soaking the roots for 24 hours, when dipping one third of their length into the humate solution with the temperature not less then 20 degrees C. One week after replanting, water them with the humic solution again. Many gardeners recommend sprinkling 1-2 handfuls of dry humate into the prepared pit.

How to use humates.

Correct use of humates ensures success. Earlier we mentioned there are at least three ways for humate treatment: soaking or spraying of the seeds, non-root treatment (spraying), and root treatment (application into the soil). Agricultural chemical centre ³Irkutsky² carried out a number of special experiments on black radish, which has medium responsiveness to humates, to determine the efficiency of each humate treatment method. The results are offered in Table 6.

Table 6

The effect of humate treatment method on black radish crop capacity.

Method of treatment Average Nitrates Heavy metals

contents,

crop capacity, content, ( Pb, Cd), mg/kg

in 4 repeats, mg/kg

centner/hectare

Seeds treatment 111 2431 0.10

Root treatment 125 2228 0.12

Non-root treatment 132 2406 0.12

All methods of treatment 153 2180 0.10

The control group 105 2907 0.14

The results showed that all methods of treatment are necessary, and the root treatment is the most efficient.

In order to fully understand why we recommend one or the other method of humate treatment, let¹s return to the second chapter, where the structure of the humic acid molecule was explained. Its molecular mass is 1500. (In comparison, urea molecular mass is 60.) The forces of intermolecular interaction bonded humic acid molecules into aggregates with molecular mass of 30,000-40,000. Therefore, in order to create a solution with separate molecules (which are biologically active), it is necessary to dilute humates significantly. (150 grams per 1000 litres of water.) On the other hand, even though humates are micro-fertilisers, their dose for different crop

cultures and different soils varies from 3 to 30 kg per hectare. If humates are used only as additional root fertiliser 3-6 times a season, 20 to 200 tons of water per hectare, or 200 to 2000 litres of water, would have to be used on each 100 square meters of crops. Using this amount of water may present a certain problem even for gardeners who work on 400 to 600 square metres of land. For the large agricultural units, particularly for American and Australian farmers, this problem would be impossible to solve. Therefore, we offer the following system of humate distribution according to the method of crops treatment.

Using the dozage quota mentioned hereunder of humate for each of the crops, first of all, set aside 2%-3% of the dose for seed treatment. Then, determine the maximum amount of humate you will be able to apply by non-root treatment (by spraying). Use the rest of the humate for root treatment.

Dose quota of our preparation for different crops:

Grain crops (wheat, rye, oats, barley, others) - 5-8 kg/hectare

Vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, capsicum, aubergines) - 10-12 kg/hectare

Root crops (potatoes, beetroots, carrots, others) - 10-15 kg/hectare

Berries (strawberries, currents, others) - 8-12 kg/hectare

Industrial crops (cotton, rape, others) - 4-6 kg/hectare

Fruit (apples, cherries, plums, citrus) - 10-20 kg/hectare

Water-melons and melons - 5 -7 kg/hectare

To achieve the maximum effect, non-root treatment with ³Gumat+7² is recommended three times a season: after a first few leaves appeared, during the budding, and in the beginning of fruit setting.

12. Conclusion

Dear reader,

You have just finished the last page of this book. Probably, some chapters you may have found basic, but this book is intended for a wide group of readers. I am confident that every person involved with growing, whether growing flowers on the balcony, or working in the garden or owning a big plantation will find something useful within this publication.

We have been through a chequered history in my Country regarding many fields of scientific achievement, so please have some thought on the fortunes of serious discoveries relevant to this field. In the middle of 20^th century, which will soon become part of history, the young Ukranian scientist Lydia Christeva made a serious discovery, watching a simple trial, included in practise of all students studying soils, which has the potential to tremendously change life and go a long way to solving the food shortage problem on earth. Please note that much of this happened in my country as it passed through the devestation, fire, hunger and ruins of World War II. Nevertheless, as a problem of the times in this country, she received little acknowledgement and support for her ideas, which would have had significant results at a time when they were needed. That happens at times when politicians do not hear the voice of scientists, and when eminent academics do not pay due attention to new ideas and findings, which appear outside of their own areas of interest. Imagine that a small percentage of the funds used in the last half of this century for useless melioration, the building of giant industrial fertilizer production works , could have been timely applied and aimed to ideas of Lydia Christeva, Tatiana Kukharenko , Valentina Larina , Dmitry Orlov, Robert Faust development, (to name but a few). The agriculture of Russia and other countries could have become more productive and would not have had the same problems of fertility. It would have been of immense help to me as author of this book as I would have had easier access to knowledge instead of collecting small pieces of information on Humates in scarcely known publications, obscure sources and even in newspaper articles.

The knowledge on Humates touched on in this publication is only ³the tip of the iceberg². We need to seriously study not only humates, but their combinations with other macro and micro fertilisers of organic and non organic origin used for every type of plant and soil. I am confident that various types of specific preparations for plants, animals and humans will be created on the base of humic acids. We are at the beginning of the need to start creating food abundance and humic acids are the main way to serve this agricultural need of the XXI century.

Acknowledgement

Lastly ladies, gentlemen, fellow scientists, students and anyone else taking the care to read this book, it would be remiss of me to ignore the assistance, time taken and practical advice from others, most importantly my wife, a distinguished scientist in her own right Dr. Svetlana Kurchenko. A Vital role in my experience and information from the West comes from the very distinguished Dr. Robert Faust of Hawaii (now of Oregon) (bridges across the ideological divide are the future) . Special thanks to Mr.McRae who arranged and financed my research trip to New Zealand, Australia and Pacific Islands, interpreters Natalia Jaffarian and Andrei U. Ageev. Of course thanks to everyone and lastly but not least especial to the the memory of the late Dr. Lydia Christeva, Dr Valentina Larina, without whose inspired discoveries, I would not have had the interest continue my research into this area though all difficult times.

Thanks you again all.

Boris Levinsky, January 1999