Did you know that certain natural compounds can help plants grow better? One of these is humic acid (HA), an organic compound formed from the decomposition of plant and animal material in the soil. Recent studies, including Rathor et al. (2024), show that humic acid can significantly improve wheat growth by stimulating natural plant hormones like auxin and cytokinin.
How Humic Acid Affects Wheat
In experiments, adding humic acid to wheat plants led to:
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15–20% longer roots compared to untreated plants.
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18–25% greater root surface area, allowing better water and nutrient absorption.
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12–18% longer shoots and leaves, making the plant stronger and healthier.
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Increased hormone activity: gene expression measurements showed a 30–40% increase in auxin and cytokinin-related genes in roots and shoots.
In short, humic acid acts like a “natural growth booster,” helping the plant grow stronger and more balanced.
Why It Matters
Even for non-farmers, these numbers highlight practical benefits:
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Stronger roots = stronger plants: Longer, denser roots mean better water and nutrient uptake, especially in poor or dry soils.
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Balanced growth: Enhanced natural hormones result in healthier shoots and leaves, improving potential yield.
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Improved plant resilience: Plants treated with humic acid were more resistant to environmental stresses such as drought or nutrient deficiency.
Experimental Details
| HA Concentration | Root Length Increase | Root Surface Increase | Shoot Length Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.025% | 8% | 10% | 7% |
| 0.05% | 12% | 14% | 10% |
| 0.1% | 18% | 22% | 15% |
| 0.2% | 20% | 25% | 18% |
| 0.4% | 21% | 26% | 18% |
The best effects on root and shoot growth were observed at 0.1–0.2% HA, while higher doses did not provide much additional benefit.
Practical Insights for Everyone
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Stronger and healthier plants: Denser roots absorb more water and nutrients.
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Balanced natural growth: Hormone activity helps coordinate root, shoot, and leaf growth.
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Natural approach: Humic acid can improve plant efficiency without heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Key Takeaways
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Humic acid is not a magic fertilizer, but a natural stimulator that enhances the plant’s own growth mechanisms.
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Its effects are strongest during early growth stages (germination and seedling development).
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Root growth may increase by 15–20%, shoot growth by 12–18%, and hormone-related gene activity by 30–40%.
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Results may vary depending on soil type and environmental conditions, so small-scale trials are recommended before large application.
Reference
Rathor P., Upadhyay P., Ullah A., Gorim L.Y., Thilakarathna M.S. (2024). Humic Acid Improves Wheat Growth by Modulating Auxin and Cytokinin Biosynthesis Pathways. AoB Plants. DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plae018. PubMed/PMC
