Potassium humate is used in agriculture as a universal natural stimulant. It is used in micro doses and affects plants like hormones and fertilizers. Improves soil properties. Further in the article we will consider in detail why they are needed and how they act on the soil.
Table of contents
About humates as a fertilizer and why they are needed
This is one of the varieties of humic substances found in decomposed organic matter. - soil, humus, peat, silt, and also in petrified forms - coal deposits. Humic acids are extracted from such concentrated organics, and then treated with potassium or sodium alkali. Soluble natural salts are obtained - humates of potassium and sodium.
There are no significant differences between the two substances. They are close in properties and can mutually replace each other.
Potassium humate has a neutral acidity and a slightly wider spectrum of action. Allows mixing with many other preparations, enrichment with microelements. Very effective in the treatment of seeds and tubers, rooting cuttings.
Sodium humate is usually a bit cheaper than its counterpart. It has an alkaline reaction. Successfully protects plants from stress (cold, drought, attack of pathogens).
Any company can mix ordinary peat with water and call their creation “humic fertilizer”. Formally, this will be true: humic substances are present. But the performance is dubious.
Advantages of quality humates
- Low price.
- High profitability (profit up to 50 rubles per 1 ruble of expenses).
- Unlimited shelf life.
- Ease of use.
- Environmental Safety.
- Harmlessness in overdose.
- No time limits during the season.
- The possibility of joint introduction with many other drugs.
- Positive effect on any plants, at any stage of their development.
Mechanism of action
Molecules of humic compounds able to work like activated carbon. They attract and bind other molecules. Thus, poisons in the soil are neutralized, and substances that prevent germination are “pulled out” of the seeds. Humic complexes affect the membranes of plant cells: food penetrates, and diseases are blocked. Inside the plants all metabolic processes are activated.
Effects of the use of the drug potassium humate breather
The soil
- Dense soils become looser, and lightweight better retain nutrients.
- Activated beneficial soil microflora.
- Various poisons, toxins, heavy metals, and radioactive isotopes become less active and even neutralized.
Cuttings, seedlings - better root and take root.
Seeds, tubers, rhizomes, bulbs
- Germination increases, the speed (2-4 days) and germination energy increase.
- Sprouts and shoots are strong.
- Formed a lush root system (50%).
Plants
- Nutrients are better absorbed (by 20-40%).
- Earlier flowering and ripening of the crop are observed (for 3-15 days).
- Decorativeness, PRODUCTIVITY (by 10-45%) increase.
- Less disease (20-40%) and damage by pests.
- The effectiveness of pesticides increases, but their harmful effects are reduced.
- Fixed successful opposition to any stress (heat, cold, drought, etc.).
- In a crop there is less nitrates and toxins, it is more than nutrients; higher rates of transportability and stability (by 15-30%).
The effect of the stimulator is more pronounced on problem lands, in bad weather, but less noticeable on chernozem in prosperous years.
Forms of release
The drug is produced by many firms. The range is very large. There are also various forms of the drug:
- Liquid concentrate.
- Dry powder or granules.
- Paste.
- Gel.
Reputable manufacturers guarantee the high quality of any option. The choice should be made on the basis of convenience. The full line of these products is manufactured by the Russian scientific and production company Bash Incom "under the Gumi brand.
- Dry preparation bring directly to the ground (in bulk). This is especially beneficial in large areas where liquid application is problematic.
- Liquid concentrate gradually spend during the season. Bottles are usually bought by owners of small plots of land, indoor growers.
- From a financial point of view, profitable pasta: it makes a lot of liquid concentrate.
- Gel produced by the latest technology. Its molecules are very active. The work is similar to pasta.
Experts consider high-quality paste and gel the most effective forms of humic stimulants.
The drugs go on sale both in pure form and in combination with other substances. Examples: Humate-containing urea, Fitosporin, mixtures with trace elements.
General instructions for use
The method of application is very simple. Funds from different manufacturers differ in name and percentage of nutrients. They are used according to the specific instructions supplied. But there are general principles of work.
Dosage for liquid and dry preparation
- For soaking seeds, tubers, rhizomes, bulbs, seedlings and cuttings - accuracy of concentration and time of exposure are important. We must act on the recommendations on the package. For example, Energen Aqua (from Green Belt): 25 drops to half a glass of water - soak tomato seeds for 4 hours.
- Dry forms bring to the ground when digging or scattering on top, at the rate of 1 to 5 g per 1 sq. km. meter (maximum - when contaminated with pesticides, heavy metals, radiation).
- When watering spend 100 liters of solution per 10 square meters. meters, when spraying plants - about 1 l per 10 square meters. meters (until complete wetting of the leaves, preferably from the bottom too).
Ways to prepare a solution
Dry water or liquid concentrate is diluted in water (it is purchased ready-made or made from a paste, gel). Water quality and temperature do not play a big role.
If the prepared solution contains suspended particles, it is filtered through gauze for spraying (otherwise the sprayer will be clogged).
Operating schedule
- In the spring (it is possible through melting snow or when digging), a dry preparation is spread throughout the garden. Either watered separate beds with a solution before sowing and planting. The procedure is repeated in the fall on lands that are contaminated with chemicals.
- The compost pile is flavored with the solution several times during the season.
- Any seeds, tubers, rhizomes, bulbs, seedlings soaked in a solution before sowing (planting). It is proved that for vegetables it not only stimulates germination, but also has a positive effect in the future - it gives an increase in yield.
- Seedlings are sprayed before picking, transfer to a permanent place. When landing, watered with a solution under the root.
- Cuttings soaked before laying on rooting, seedlings - before planting.
- All cultivated plants can be watered and sprayed with a stimulant several (2-6) times per season, no more than once a week.
The works are timed to the phases of budding, formation of ovaries, the initial stage of fruit loading, as well as to stressful situations. Processing stops for 10-14 days before picking fruits and vegetables. You can alternate root and foliar application, combine with different fertilizers, pesticides.
Storage and Precautions
Humic substances are of natural origin, but they are not alive, they show chemical and physical resistance. Preparations can have guaranteed shelf life, but the real shelf life is not limited.
They belong to the IV class of danger, that is, they are safe - like earth or peat.
Gardeners reviews
Chernyavskaya T. I. (Moscow region): “I grow tomatoes for sale. Neighbors wonder why my vegetables ripen much earlier than theirs. They think that I know a special secret, but the point is in the potassium humate.In the prompter preparation, I first soak the seeds, water the seedlings when they are planted in the greenhouse, then spray them 2 times a month. I use 15 grams per 10 liters of water. ”
Fomenko N. V.: “Many people think that Altai is a clean region, but we have lands contaminated by radiation and other chemicals. Local scientists advise to put in the soil Gumat potassium. Their experiments showed that vegetables then grow more useful. ”
Komarov V.K. (Chelyabinsk): “It is known that the cuttings of some conifers root hard, even Heteroauxin does not help. I manage to persuade the most "stubborn" only by soaking potassium in the Gumate. "
Turik S. (Kemerovo region): “Six years ago I became interested in growing grapes. I get good brushes on three varieties. I decided to propagate them by cuttings, but this was not possible last season. Experienced winegrowers advised to use Gumat potassium as a stimulant. This year 80% rooted cuttings. And our growers spray the bushes with this preparation. This increases the sugar content of the berries. "
Karachunova U. (Ryazan): “I noticed that with regular use of Humate potassium, petunias and begonias bloom much more magnificently.”