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