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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #139520
Title: STIMULATION OF PLANT GROWTH BY HUMIC SUBSTANCES

Author
item Clapp, Charles
item VIAL, R - UNIV. OF MINNESOTA
item CHEN, Y - HEBREW UNIV. JERUSALEM
item PALAZZO, A - USA CORPS OF ENGINEERS
item CLINE, V - TORO COMPANY
item Baker, John

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/11/2002
Publication Date: 11/11/2002
Citation: Clapp, C.E., Vial, R.S., Chen, Y., Palazzo, A.J., Cline, V.W., Baker, J.M. 2002. Stimulation of plant growth by humic substances. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Paper No. S03-clapp125043-Poster.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Studies on the effects of humic substances (HS) on plants consistently show stimulation of plant growth. Both increase in root length and development of secondary roots have been observed for HS in nutrient solutions. Some researchers attributed the stimulative effects of HS to higher uptake of nutrients. Others, however, suggested that hormone activity of HS promotes plant growth. A small fraction of lower molecular weight components of HS can be taken up by plants and are considered to increase cell membrane permeability and to exhibit hormone-like activity. In soils, addition of composts was found to stimulate growth beyond that provided by mineral nutrients, presumably because of the effects of HS. Experiments were carried out using a 'microsystem' method and a 'pouch' method comparing HS products with fertilizer controls for plant growth parameters. Plants involved included turfgrasses, corn, soybean, and tomato (some genetically modified). The results will be discussed, in light of supporting literature data, showing that plant growth enhancement results from increased nutrient availability, iron and zinc in particular, due to their chelation by HS.