U-Mate International
General Information
Index
- Background
- Terms
- Characteristics of Humic Acids
- Humates in Action
- Composition of 1000 Lbs. of Humate
- Humates in Action- Benefits
- Problems with Humate
- Demand for Organic Food
- New Mexico Humates
- Organic Food
- Organic Farms
- Natural Gardening
- Price List
- Web Links
Background | back to index
Humus has been known and discussed for centuries. Humates and humus are related. The reference to "humus" dates back more than a millennium when it was generally referred to the soil itself. Over time, "humus" referred to organic matter of soils, composts or other aspects of organic matter. Today, humus has come to be referred to as decomposed organic matter. Humus is considered as a complex, formed in soils, composts, peat bogs and parts of plant residues.
Solid organic matter represents several types of humus in an advanced state of decomposition produced from plant residues eons ago and thereafter super imposed by layers of mineral matter. Solid organic matter formation is a process where decomposed plants and animals turn to humus, change to peat, then to lignite, because of tremendous concentration of living bacteria which converted the organic matter to humic acids. Humate is compressed, natural organic humus, containing most of the known trace elements necessary for development of plant life. This may be so because eons ago, humus itself was plant life.
Organic materials and substances play an important part in the formation of fertile soil due to the fact that they are a source of plant nutrients. Organic matter has also a significant effect on the water holding capacity of many soils and plays a role in the plants' abilities to take up nutrients from the soil. Legions of studies demonstrate that organic compounds such as humates have a definite and positive effect on the growth and development of plants.
The addition of organic matter to soil has been recognized for centuries past. In general, there is a wide body of scientific thought that humus influences soil fertility through its effect on water holding capacity. From humus soil, three separate types of acid can be separated. The humic fraction is obtained by using diluted two percent (2%) sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) to separate it in the form of colloidal sot. From this solution, the humic fraction is precipitated by acid leaving a straw yellow supernatant which is the fulvic fraction. The alcohol soluble portion of the humic fraction is generally called ulmic acid. Humates can be utilized as soil conditioners, and soil supplements. It acts chemically with soils whether alkaline or acidic to protect plant roots from excessive amounts of soluble fertilizers placed too close to the seed at planting or to the growing plants when applied as a side or top dressing. For optimal plant development, humates are applied at rates of 100 to 600 lbs. per acre depending on soil conditions, climate conditions and the particular crop. With good soil action, humates can show soil improvement within a few weeks.
Terms | back to index
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Acid: |
Any compound which reacts with a base to form a salt. An acid tastes sour, turns blue litmus paper red (has a pH of less than 7.0 and produces free hydrogen ions). |
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Aeration: |
Aeration of the soil involves the exchange of air in the soil with the air from the atmosphere. The composition of air in a well-aerated soil is similar to that in the atmosphere. In poorly aerated soil, the air in the soil contains considerably more carbon dioxide and less oxygen than the atmosphere above the soil. |
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Alkaline: |
Alkaline is a basic reaction in which the pH reading is above 7.0. |
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Aerobic: |
A micro organism capable of growing or existing in the presence of free oxygen. Fermentation in the presence of air. |
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Anaerobic: |
A micro organism capable of growing or existing in the absence of free oxygen. |
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Base: |
A compound that can react with an acid to form a salt. A base removes hydrogen ions from an acid and combines with them. The base has a pH greater than 7.0 and turns blue litmus red. |
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Fulvic Acid: |
Fulvic acid is that fraction of humic substances that is soluble under all pH conditions. Fulvic acid dissolves in water or alkaline solution to give a clear orange solution. In an acid solution, most of the fulvic acid is soluble but some is precipitated out. Fulvic acid is also soluble in methyl ethyl ketone and methyl alcohol. |
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Fulvates: |
Fulvates are the salts of fulvic acid. |
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Humus: |
Humus is the organic portion of soil, brown or black in color, consisting of partially or wholly decayed plant and animal matter that provides nutrients to plants and increases the ability of soil to retain water. |
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Humic Substances: |
A general category of naturally occurring heterogeneous organic substances. |
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Humic Acid: |
Humic acid is that fraction of humic substances that is not soluble in water under acid condition (below pH 2) but soluble at a greater pH. It is the collective name for the acid radical found in humic matter. Humic acid is insoluble in water, any acid solution, methyl ethyl ketone and methyl alcohol. |
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Ulmic Acid: |
Ulmic acid is the acid radical found in humic matter which is soluble in alkali. Ulmic acid is soluble in methyl ethyl ketone but is insoluble in water, any acid solution and methyl alcohol. |
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Humates: |
Humates are the salts of humic acids collectively or the salts of humic acids specifically. |
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Ulmates: |
Ulmates are the salts of ulmic acid. |
Characteristics of Humic Acids | back to index
It is now recognized that humic acids are complex molecules formed by the breakdown of organic matter. The molecular weight of humic acids can vary between 5,000 and 50,000 with various organic groups present.
Humic substances participate actively in the decomposition of rocks and minerals and promote the conversion of a number of elements into forms available to plants. Many studies have demonstrated that humic substances increase the germination capacity of the seed and enhance the vitamin content of plants. These studies suggest that humic acids and their derivatives increase the permeability of plant membranes in order to promote the uptake of nutrients. At the same time, humic substances positively effect the growth of various micro organisms which promote plant development.
Humates In Action™ | back to index
It is generally recognized that humic substances promote the conversion of a number of elements into forms available for up-take by plants. Indeed, some studies suggest that the amount of humic acid contained within the humus substance is directly related to plant development. In the production of fertile soil, organic substances play a direct part because they are the source of plant nutrients which are liberated in available forms during mineralization. Action of humic substances is important: Humic substances actively participate in decomposition of rocks and minerals.
While there are many credible reports and studies which support the positive aspects of humic materials, they operate more in the nature of soil additives rather than the replacement of the essential elements of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The use of humates progressively builds up humus content in soil. Generally, subsequent fertilization can be reduced when soil becomes ever more fertile and healthy soil conditions are created reducing reliance upon pesticides and insecticides. Humates are natural products and have no external chemical additives.
The positive impacts on seed germination, plant growth and development, increased mineral content of plants all have been demonstrated by credible studies. Stated in another way, humates and humic substances cannot be regarded as fertilizer substitutes but rather act as a soil supplement and additive where there exits the presence of adequate supplies of major nutrients of N, P, K, etc.
Humates contain most of the known trace elements necessary for development of plant life because in their much earlier state they were the plants themselves. Organic matter enhances root development, increases water retention power and promotes the chelation process whereby insoluble matter is gradually processed for plant utilization. Significantly, humates contain valuable plant nutritional substances not found in chemical fertilizers. Taken as whole, a consensus of scientific studies reveals that humates can be utilized as soil conditioners, and soil supplements under various conditions and climates. Humates can be processed into humic acid which then can be added to soil supplements or fertilizers.
Composition of 1000 Lbs. of Humate | back to index
The composition of humates varies from region to region. Studies involving humates show that there is a significant variation of the humic content depending on the region from which it was obtained. There is a strong need to ensure quality control of humates in order to achieve consistent composition and predictable results for the plants. New Mexico humates have various compositions and are widely recognized as having superior qualities. In general, the principal components of humate in decreasing order are as follows:
- Humates - 30% to 40%
- Organic matter - 30% to 40%
- Carbon - 25% to 35%
Other compositions:
- Silicone oxide
- Aluminum oxide
- Nitrogen
- Iron
- Sulphur
- Sodium
- Magnesium
- Titanium
- Copper
- Zinc
- Vanadium
- Calcium
- Boron
The range for these chemicals varies and is dependent upon the geographic origin area.
Humate in Action- Benefits | back to index
- Improves water holding capacity of soil.
- Large amounts of humate material resists droughts more effectively and produce better yields where rainfall or irrigation may be insufficient.
- Improves the workability of soil.
- Reduces soil erosion by increasing the cohesive forces of fine soil particles.
- Possess high ion-exchange capacities thus making possible better retention and utilization of fertilizers and preventing leaching away from the root zones.
- Liberates carbon dioxide from soil calcium carbonates and thus make it available to the plant through the roots.
- Increase plant nutrition by supplying available trace and minor elements.
- Reacts with salt solutions to protect plant roots. In alkaline soils, humus reduces the amount and activity of high soil pH. In acid soils, humus absorbs and combines and retains certain toxic soluble aluminum compounds.
- Promotes soil drainage.
- Prevents cooking of plants in residual water.
- Improves sugar content of fruits and vegetables.
- Increases seed germination rates.
- Produces stronger, faster growing seedlings.
- Prevents crusting of soils.
- Increases plant recovery after mowing or damage.
- Increases total growth of plants and yield.
- Decreases cost of irrigation.
- Prevents leaching of chemical fertilizers.
- Speeds decomposition of poisons.
- Helps in balancing soil pH.
- Increases root system development.
Problems with Humate | back to index
Certain types of humates may contain high amounts of aluminum, boron and molybdenum which may have an adverse and harmful affect on plants. Where humates contain high percentages of these elements, such humates would be dangerous to use. Humates with concentrations of 15% of aluminum should be altogether avoided.
Demand for Organic Food | back to index
One need only pick up the newspaper to read articles about the increasing demand for organically grown fruits and vegetables. The public is demanding more organic foods and less artificial and synthetic preparations. Humates being fully organic, will undoubtedly form an important link in the organic food chain. As more varied applications are undertaken for different crops, humates will find an increasing role in the future. Humates are natures' soil additive and are 100% organic.
New Mexico Humates | back to index
The State of New Mexico has significant concentration of humates. Its composition has advantages over humates in other geographic areas. Under some circumstances and for some crops, New Mexico humates may produce superior results. New Mexico humates, as sold by U-Mate™, New Mex U-Mate™ and New Mex Humate™ should at least be tried and explored as a competitive alternative to humates from other geographic areas. Humates in New Mexico are found in several formations including the Mesa-Verde formation and the Menefee formation. Test results show that humic, fulvic, and ulmic acid content of New Mexico humates can be as much as 85% of the sample. U-Mate International is poised to explore the exciting future of humates.
Organic Foods| back to index
Organic foods and organic crop production are becoming of ever greater interest to the consuming public. In fact, organic industries have developed across the United States in response to this consumer demand. This consumer demand is partly in response to use of synthetic substances in the growing and handling of food products and the use of pesticides, all with still unknown effects on the human systems. Organic sales in the United States have reached more than $2.8 billion in 1995 from very meager beginnings in 1980. The growth rates and use and consumption of organic products are expected to accelerate in the years to come and there are some estimates that U.S. organic sales will top $4 billion shortly.
Humates, as natural organic compounds, will be a key part of the organic crop production system and your organic plan. In 1990, Congress enacted The Organic Food Productions Act of 1990 ("OFPA") which can be found at 7 U.S.C. § 6501, et seq. The OFPA was enacted in response to the problems of the organic industry and at the request of its trade associations which attempted to establish national voluntary organic certification programs. Needless to say, voluntary agreements of this type are difficult to develop and a consensus on National standards are even more difficult to develop. Therefore, Congress, in response to organic industry trade association petitions, established a mandatory national organic program through the OFPA. The purposes of the OFPA as set forth in § 2102 (7 U.S.C. § 6501) are to:
- Establish National standards governing the marketing of certain agricultural products as organically produced products;
- Assure consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent standard; and
- Facilitate commerce in fresh and processed foods that are organically produced.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated a rule making proceeding on December 15, 1997 by proposing a comprehensive set of National standards for the production, processing and labeling of organic foods. That proposal would, for the first time, define exactly what products can be labelled as organic and under what circumstances the organic food industry could use the U.S.D.A. seal of certification on foods, raw and processed, that meet the stringent new definitions. An organic plan is required.
The proposed regulations replace a patchwork of some 33 private and 11 state organic certification agencies, each with their own standards and identifying marks. As a result, there was some consumer confusion because of the variety of seals, labels and logos used by certifiers and state programs. Importantly, there was no industry-wide agreement on accepted list of substances that should be permitted or prohibited for use in organic production and handling. While the organic industries have developed, a lack of National organic standards impedes the farmers and handlers from taking full advantage of international markets and a growing domestic market to the fullest extent possible. It is expected that National uniform standards will accelerate the double-digit growth of organic agriculture which has evolved from the holistic back to the earth movements in the 1990's to one of the hottest niches of growth in the U.S. agricultural business.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its National List, has identified a list of natural (non-synthetic) substances acceptable for use in organic crop production. As ought to be expected, humates, as a mined source, and humic acid derivatives are in fact organic compounds. Therefore they are found on the list of natural substances and therefore are approved for use in organic crop production. This inclusion of humates and humic acid derivatives on the National List for use in organic production is the natural conclusion of the existing scientific data and studies which confirm humates as natural organic compounds and thus permissible for use in organic farming. Umate International is actively interested in participating in the growth and development of all organic industries, not only as a supplier, but also as a source of reliable data and studies with an aim towards fostering the growth and development of humates, humate derivatives and organic farming as a whole. Umate International desires to be an active participant as a supplier of organic compounds and technical data to foster and promote the growth of all organic industries. We believe that humates will be a part of your organic plan under the OFPA to assist you in having your facility certified as an organic farm or organic handler.
Please contact Umate International to see how we can meet your needs.
Organic Farms | back to index
Reputable data has established that the organic industry has grown dramatically in recent years from approximately $180 million in 1980 to retail sales levels of $2.8 billion in 1995 and $3.5 billion on 1996. On a related basis, certified organic crop land production has expanded from approximately 470,000 acres to more than 660,000 acres in the period 1992-1994 and is expected to reach 2 million acres by the year 2000. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are approximately 4,000 certified organic farmers in the United States and about 600 organic handlers. Most of the certified farms have less than $25,000 in gross annual sales.
U.S. exports of organic products totalled approximately $200 million in 1994, representing about 9% of the total U.S. organic output. The European Union has projected that the organic share of its food consumption market will increase to about 2.5% by 1998. Organic products are able to command premium prices not only in the United States but worldwide. In 1994, France and Germany had combined total retails sales of organic foods of approximately $2 billion and Japan's retail sales for that year were estimated to be $690 million. European Union countries project growth rates for organic foods at about 20% per annum, which is about the projected increases for the United States. The organic foods production and the related rule-making proceedings initiated by the Department of Agriculture on December 15, 1997, undoubtedly will have a several-fold effect. First, those farms and handlers that currently are able to comply with the proposed Department of Agriculture regulations ought to see their sales and production increase dramatically in the years to come. On the other hand, those producers who are attempting to sell "organic food" without complying with the U.S. Department of Agriculture standards may be frustrated until they are fully certified as organic farms. During the pendency of the proposed rule making and after its promulgation, there very well may be a washing out process where some existing organic farms simply may not be able to comply with the stringent regulations and thus, effectively are put out of business.
Accordingly, Umate International is recommending that all organic farmers and handlers obtain immediate access to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's proposed rules so they may, at an early time, conform their procedures and practices to these rules in order to be permitted to use the organic labelling and receive the organic agricultural certifications for their products. To the extent that Umate International has technical data or can point to technical data to aid in the organic farm certification process, we would be pleased to do so. Particularly, we invite all current state and private certifiers and potential applicants as federal certifiers under the rule making proceeding to contact Umate International and to obtain information and sources concerning humates, organic compounds and humic acid derivatives. We believe that this will be an ongoing process. Humates should be a part of your organic plan.
Natural Gardening | back to index
As the world has become ever more complex with ever more and more synthetic compounds and processes, individuals are returning to natural gardening in their homes, their backyards, and their neighborhood lots. Humates, as natural organic compounds, and could be an important part of the natural gardening system. We therefore suggest that natural gardeners make inquiry of Umate International relating to their products such as NewMex Umate™, NewMex Humate, Bio-Umate™ and www.humate.com™ compounds and products.
Price List | back to index
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Web Links | back to index
Websites referencing or mentioning of humates can be found at:
