K-Humate (Potassium Humate)

K-Humate (Potassium Humate)

K-Humate is a soluble potassium humate: humic and fulvic acids carrying potassium, 15% potassium by weight. It dissolves fully in water for drenching and irrigation, or can be raked into topsoil, and is meant to be used alongside organic or mineral fertilisers.

At a glance

• Type: amendment, soluble humate (potassium humate)
• Supplier certificate on file: AsureQuality certificate. See the certificate and its dates.
• Analysis: NPK = 0 - 0 - 15; potassium (K) 15.00%; potassium humate and fulvate 85 to 95%
• Use for: adding humic substances through irrigation or to topsoil, with other fertilisers
• Rate: 2 to 10 kg per hectare, which is 2 to 10 g per 10 square metres
• Certification: AsureQuality Organic Input for Organics, licence 1163 (certificate on file)

What it is

K-Humate is 100% soluble humic acid, suitable for all soil types and irrigation systems. It can be applied as a solution, or scattered and raked into topsoil. The supplier recommends using it with organic or mineral fertilisers rather than on its own.

What it does

• Humic substances are the dark, stable fraction of soil organic matter. Humic and fulvic acids are chelators. A chelator is a molecule that wraps around a metal ion, such as iron or zinc, and holds it in a soluble form, so the metal stays in solution instead of precipitating out of reach of the root.
• Across trials, humic substances lift plant growth by about a fifth on average, with wide swings between trials. Most of those trials were in pots; field results range from gains to no change. They help most in low organic matter, sandy or saline soils and least in compost rich soil.
• Growers use K-Humate for its humic acids, not as a potassium fertiliser: 10 g per 10 square metres brings 1.5 g of potassium.

Analysis

Supplier figures (no laboratory certificate of analysis is on file for the potassium figure):

• NPK = 0 - 0 - 15
• Potassium (K): 15.00% (more than 15% potassium by weight)
• Potassium humate and fulvate: 85 to 95%

How to use

• 2 to 10 kg per hectare, which is 2 to 10 g per 10 square metres.
• Dissolve in water for irrigation or drenching, or scatter and rake into the topsoil.
• When dissolving it for mixing with other fertilisers, test for compatibility first with a small batch in a jar.
• The pH of the solution should not drop below 6.0.
• Humates drop out of solution in acid mixes. If the pH of a tank mix falls below 6.0 the humate can precipitate, so jar test before mixing with acidic fertilisers.

Learn more in fifteen seconds

• Humates: modest, not magic
• Fulvic acid: the small chelator

Handling and storage

• Wear a mask to avoid inhaling particles and open in a well ventilated area.
• Wear gloves and eye protection, and wash hands after use.
• Once opened, keep sealed and dry.