WHAT ARE HUMATES?

Humates are a group of complex organic components consisting of humic acids, fulvic acids, ulmic acids, amino acids, sugars, peptides, and chelated metal Ions. Humate deposits vary in depositional environment and type of original plant matter, but are basically all derived from ancient forests and grassy plains that generally lived millions of years ago. In a few rare instances, these deposits laid down over much time have been preserved by an impervious covering of clay or volcanic material. In some cases, the deposits were buried and subjected to high temperatures, and then later exposed back to the surface in an almost coal-like state. Some refer to deposits such as this as Leonardites.  The picture below is of a massive humic mudstone/shale depoisit in the Aguja Formation near Terlingua, Texas.

The humates used by KTK Associates, inc. are mined from Humic deposits that have never been taken to the “near-coal” state, but rather are preserved as a compost material that is literally millions of years old. Our humates come from Formations of Upper Cretaceous age and are estimated to be about 65 million years old and are classified as a Humic Mudstone or Humic Shale deposits.  These deposits are very rich in the most active component of humates, fulvic acid and are therefore very good for your soil long-term.  Below is a look at one of the mines:

So, What does all this mean? It means that all of the original trace elements and micro-nutrients that were available to plant life eons ago are still present in the humates we mine and process. The simple explanation is that:

        - Humic acids help the soil give needed nutrients to plants. 
        - Fulvic acids increase the plant’s ability to take up nutrients, and withstand stress.
        - Ulmic acids provide carbon and help stimulate root formation and growth.

The general structure of a Humic Acid Molecule is illustrated below:

The Bottom line is healthier, better growing, stress-resistant plants for you!

Know and Grow!