Humic substances and their importance on plant health and yield

Abstract

Plant growth depends on several factors. Optimum nutrients, water absorption, light quality and intensity, soil structure and fertility and many other factors control plant development. Good quality organic matter present in soil is crucial for soil structure and plant growth. Soils that are equipped with adequate amounts of nutrients viz., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium; but devoid of humic substances undergo stress and retarded growth. Plants grown in presence of humic substances appear to be healthy and have higher yield. Herewith, is described the types of humic substances along with their application in plant growth and development. Keywords: humus, humic acid, fulvic acid, soil fertility, plant growth