What is the difference between humate and humic acid?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 18, 2026
Basically, humate is the conjugate base of humic acid. In summary, the key difference between potassium humate and humic acid is that potassium humate is the potassium salt of humic acid, whereas humic acid is an important organic acid that occurs as a component in soil.
Is humate the same as humic acid?
If we take the flocculated humic acid and dry it down to form a black mass that can be crushed and sized by dry sieving, we have humate. In other words, humate is humic acid in its solid state. Therefore, the chemical properties of humate and humic acid are basically the same.
What are Humates good for?
Improved water holding capacity
One of the most important functions of humates is the ability to hold water. They act as a sponge, holding up to seven times their volume in water. Especially in the southwest, water is one of the most important components for crop growth.
Can you apply too much humate?
People will also ask if it's possible to apply too much humic acid to the lawn and the answer is no. You won't harm the lawn with too much humic acid but for sure, you will waste it. In other words, throwing down more than the labeled rate will not hurt anything, but it certainly is wasteful and expensive.
Can I apply too much humic acid?
If you add “too much” humic acid to your lawn, you shouldn't see any adverse effects unless the granular humic acid is so thick that it's blocking out all light and air. Beyond watering your lawn as usual, there's nothing else you need to do if you add too much humic acid to your lawn.
27 related questions foundWhat is Humate fertilizer?
Humates, which are composed of various forms of carbon, are naturally occurring material that is very rich in humified organic matter and humic substances. Humates are now recognized as the single most productive input in sustainable agriculture.
How often can you apply Humate to lawn?
How Often Can You Apply Humate to Your Lawn? 1–2 times per year is the optimal application schedule for humates and humic acid.
When should I apply Humate to my lawn?
Uses for Humate Soil Conditioner for Lawns
We often apply humate to lawns the last week of May or first week of June (prior to the summer heat). Any time when seeding a lawn, humate is proven to increase seed germination.
What is IFA Humate?
IFA Bountiful Earth Humate soil conditioner supports and promotes strong, healthy growth in lawns, gardens, trees, shrubs, crops, and more, for the greenest grass, most nutritious veggies, yummiest fruits and biggest harvest yields.
How do you use potassium humate?
Uses. Potassium humate is used in agriculture as a fertilizer additive to increase the efficiency of fertilizers especially nitrogen- and phosphorus-based fertilizer inputs. Other salts of humic acid are manufactured, mainly sodium humate, which is used in animal health supplements. It also can be used in aquaculture.
Are Humates organic?
Humic substances, or humates, are the dark-colored organic compounds that remain after the natural degradation of biomatter that are resistant to further degradation. They are also the major organic ingredient of the soil.
Is humic acid a fertilizer?
What Is It Used For In Agriculture? Leonardite is not a fertilizer. It acts as a conditioner for the soil and as a bio-catalyst and bio-stimulant for the plant. Humic acids are an excellent natural and organic way to provide plants and soil with a concentrated dose of essential nutrients, vitamins and trace elements.
How do you make potassium humate?
Potassium humate is prepared from the potassium-rich rock and the lignite; a K2O component in the potassium-rich rock is fully utilized; a chemical raw material, namely potassium hydroxide is not consumed; the obtained potassium hydroxide solution does not need to be evaporated, and directly reacts with the lignite; ...
When Should I spray my lawn with humic acid?
For best results, you should apply humic acid to your lawn once or twice a year. The first application should be given to your lawn in the early spring when your grass begins to green-up. You can also apply humic acid again in september or early october during fall.
How often should I apply humic acid to my lawn?
Apply solution around root zone of existing plants: Water in just enough to soak the root zone (up to 4 inches for most.) Apply as often as every two weeks.
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- Initially apply heavily at 1½ oz per 100 sf or 12 oz per 1000 sf. ...
- Apply again in 3 weeks at 1 oz per 100 sf or – 6 oz per 1000 sf and water in.
What is humate infusion?
Humate-P, Antihemophilic Factor/von Willebrand Factor Complex (Human), is a purified, sterile, lyophilized concentrate of Factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand Factor (VWF) (Human) for intravenous administration in the treatment of patients with classical hemophilia (hemophilia A) and VWD [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
How long does humic acid last in soil?
Humic substances, on the other hand, are stable, long-lasting biomolecules. Components of humus have a mean residence time (based on radiocarbon dating, using extracts from non-disturbed soils) of 1,140 to 1,235 years, depending on the molecular weight of the humic acid.
Which fertilizer contains humic acid?
Humic acid is 100% Organic Liquid Fertilizer. Humic Acid is extracted from compressed, ancient plant matter in the form of leonardite (a soft brown coal). It is an ideal additive to boost bio-activity and improve the performance of compost, soil structure and plant nutrients intake.
Is humic acid good for clay soil?
Humic acid can help improve soil texture and water retention. It's especially useful for us here in the Dallas area, where we tend to have heavy clay soils. Applying humic acid to clay soils can help loosen them, allowing for better water and air penetration.
What is Liquid Humate?
Liquid Humate is a premium, natural product derived from Leonardite. Easier to apply than compost and weed-free. Stimulates beneficial soil microorganisms. Penetrates the soil quickly, going directly to the roots for rapid absorption. Can be used with other fertilizers and is ideal to use alongside RestoreClay.
What is in Azomite powder?
Technically, AZOMITE® is a highly mineralized complex silica ore (Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate or HSCAS), mined in Utah from an ancient deposit left by a volcanic eruption that filled a small seabed an estimated 30 million years ago.
What is humic acid good for?
Humic acid increases nutrient uptake, drought tolerance, and seed germination. It increases the microbial activity in the soil, making it an excellent root stimulator. Humic acid increases the availability of nutrients in our fertilizers and in those already existing in your soil.
How does potassium Humate help plants?
Potassium humate can improve soil physical characteristics, improve soil aggregate structure, reduce soil compaction, and achieve good conditions; increase soil cation exchange capacity and fertilizer retention capacity to adsorb and exchange plant nutrients, improve fertilizer slowness, increase Soil fertility and ...
Can humic acid burn plants?
Especially the NH4-toxicity of fertilizers containing ammonia is reduced, which is of great importance for young plants. Generally, humic acids reduce root burning which comes about through excessive salt concentrations in soils after fertilization. Also when humic acids are mixed with liquid fertilizers.