In the era of sustainable agriculture and organic farming, very few natural products are versatile and powerful; one of them is Potassium humate. It is an organic soil conditioner and fertilizer. It is derived from humic acid and technically obtained from leonardite or brown coal. It is the potassium salt of humic acid and is used to improve soil structure and increase water retention capacity. It also improves nutrient availability for plants. Furthermore, it is useful for everyone, whether you are a farmer managing a vast field or a home gardener nurturing a few pots.

What is Potassium humate?

Potassium humate is a water-soluble salt of humic acid extracted from Leonardite or other organic sources like peat, lignite and composted plant material. It is rich in humic substances, especially humic acid, fulvic acid and ulmic acid, all of which are crucial for soil fertility. This black or dark brown powder or liquid is highly concentrated and serves as a natural soil conditioner, bio-stimulant and chelator, helping plants absorb nutrients more efficiently.

How it is made?

It is generally produced by treating raw humic acid with potassium hydroxide (KOH). This process makes the insoluble potassium humate soluble, making it suitable for foliar sprays and fertigation.

Why it matters in agriculture

In modern agriculture, challenges such as soil degradation, nutrient deficiencies, low organic carbon and poor microbial diversity commonly occur. It acts as a natural soil enhancer that addresses many of these challenges without harming the environment.

Key Benefits 

Here are the major advantages of using it in crop and soil management.

• Improves soil structure

It binds soil particles into stable aggregates which improves aeration and water retention capacity of soil. This is mainly useful in sandy or clayey soils.

• Improved Nutrient Uptake

It acts as a chelator, converting micronutrients like iron, zinc and magnesium into plant-absorbable forms. This increases the availability of unavailable nutrients, reducing fertilizer waste.

• Boosts root development

Humic substances stimulate cell elongation and division in roots, which encourages deeper, stronger root systems that can absorb more nutrients and water.

• Increases microbial activity

It promotes beneficial soil microbes, which include NFB and PSB. A healthy microbial population leads to better nutrient cycling and disease suppression.

• Reduces fertilizer loss

It helps in retaining nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in the root zone which reduces leaching and run-off, especially in high rainfall or irrigated areas.

• Improves plant immunity

Regular application of it enhances plant resistance to stress from pests, diseases, drought and salinity.

• Stimulates seed germination

Application in the soil at the time of sowing helps in better seed germination and uniform emergence of seedlings by supplying essential bio-stimulants at the early stages of growth.

• Supports sustainable agriculture

It is a natural organic input. It aligns well with organic farming practices and reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers.

Peptech Biosciences Potassium humate

Various formulations of this are available in the market for the different agricultural needs, such as from soil conditioning to plant growth promotion. At Peptech Biosciences we offer Potassium humate Liquid 20% &  40%. We also have it’s technical 98% in flakes and powder, and it allows us to customize a range of Potassium humate formulations. This flexibility in formulation production allows us to cater to the specific requirements of crops.

Application methods of Potassium humate

Potassium humate can be used in multiple ways depending on the crop type, soil condition, and desired outcome.

• Soil Application

Method: Mix with basal fertilizers or apply directly to soil during land preparation or soil drenching. 

Dosege: 

Potassium humate 98% powder/flakes- 2-4 kg per hectare.

Potassium humate 20%- 1-2 ml per liter of water

Potassium humate 40%- 0.5-1 ml per liter of water

Best for: Improving soil texture, microbial population, and root zone nutrient retention.

• Foliar Spray

Method: Dissolve Potassium humate in water and spray directly on leaves 2-3 times during the seedling, vegetative and fruit growth stages.

Dose:

Potassium humate 98% powder/flakes 1-2 kg per hectare.

Potassium humate 20%- 1-2 ml per liter of water

Potassium humate 40%- 0.5-1 ml per liter of water

Best for: Quick absorption of nutrients and boosting plant metabolism during stress or flowering.

• Drip Irrigation/Fertigation

Method: Inject Liquid Potassium humate into the irrigation system.

Dose:

Potassium humate 20%- 1-2 ml per liter of water

Potassium humate 40%- 0.5-1 ml per liter of water

Best for: Continuous feeding and soil health improvement in horticultural or protected cultivation.

Use of Potassium humate in crops

How it benefits different crops

• In cereal crops like wheat, paddy maize etc. it improves tillering, grain filling, and overall yield.
• In vegetables like tomato, potato, onion and others, it promotes uniform growth and better flowering. It also reduces the incidences of blossom end rot and nutrient deficiency.
• In fruit orchards like banana, mango, citrus, grapes and others it increases fruit size, improves fruit colour and increases fruit sweetness. Also improves shelf life and post-harvest quality of produce.
• In pulses and oilseeds, it increases nodulation and nitrogen fixation, which improves pod setting and seed quality.
• In cash crops like sugarcane and cotton, it improves chlorophyll production and canopy cover, which results in higher biomass and sucrose content in sugarcane and improved fiber quality in cotton.

When to Apply?

For the efficient results, it should be used at the time of

• Land preparation or transplanting
• Early vegetative growth 
• Before flowering and fruit setting
• After stress conditions (drought, pest attack and others)

Conclusion 

It is not only for soil dressing, but it is also a natural growth enhancer. It minimizes the gap between the traditional and modern farming practices. It improves the soil structure, nutrient absorption and overall plant health, which makes it the great tool for the progressive farmers and gardeners.

In the time when sustainable and organic farming is getting popular, it is a scientifically eco-friendly solution that supports both productivity and environmental health. If you haven’t done so yet, consider incorporating Potassium humate from Peptech Biosciences into your crop management plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)