What is the Difference Between Potassium Humate and Humic Acid?

Potassium humate and humic acid are both important components in fertile soil, but they have some differences. The key difference between them is that potassium humate is the potassium salt of humic acid, whereas humic acid is an organic acid that occurs as a component in soil.

Potassium humate is a derivative of humic acid, specifically designed for use in agriculture. It is made by reacting leonardite or lignite with potassium hydroxide, which results in a high water-soluble product. Potassium humate is more expensive than water-insoluble humic acid, but it has a high performance when used as a foliar fertilizer in irrigation systems.

On the other hand, humic acid is an organic substance found in soil, formed by the decomposition of plant and animal matter. It is insoluble in water, making it more difficult to decompose and slow in its effects.

To summarize the differences between potassium humate and humic acid:

• Potassium humate is the potassium salt of humic acid.
• Potassium humate has high water solubility, making it suitable for use in irrigation systems.
• Humic acid is the parent compound of potassium humate, found naturally in soil.
• Humic acid is insoluble in water, making it more difficult to decompose and slow in its effects.

In conclusion, potassium humate and humic acid are both beneficial for plant growth, but they serve different purposes and have different properties. Potassium humate is more suitable for use as a foliar fertilizer in irrigation systems, while humic acid can be used as a soil conditioner.

Comparative Table: Potassium Humate vs Humic Acid

The key difference between potassium humate and humic acid is that potassium humate is the potassium salt of humic acid. In summary, potassium humate is an ionic compound that readily dissolves in water, while humic acid is an organic acid that is insoluble in water and requires extraction with alkaline substances like potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide to produce water-soluble humate salts. Here is a table comparing the differences between potassium humate and humic acid:

Both potassium humate and humic acid are important components in fertile soil, and they play a crucial role in improving soil structure and providing essential nutrients to plants.