Historical background to humic and fulvic acid

1786 - 1899

In 1786, F.K. Archard was the first person to try and extract humic compouds from peat with potassium hydroxide. In 1804, T. de Saussure gave the Latin name humus, meaning soil, to the dark-coloured organic material. The first comprehensive study of the origins and chemical nature of humic compounds was conducted in 1826 by C. Sprengel. The latter half of the nineteenth century was characterised by the classification scheme for the isolation of new products from composted plant residue, soil and artificial mixtures made in laboratories. By the end of the nineteenth century it had been determined that humic compounds were complex mixtures of organic components, mainly colloid in nature, with weak acidic qualities.

1900 – 1979

During the period 1900 – 1940 there were new efforts to classify humic compounds and to establish their nature and structures. In this period the contributions by S. Owen in 1914 and 1919 were the most significant with the classification of: humic coal, humic acid, HUMATOMELANIC ACID (component of the Humic Acid Group) and fulvic acid. In 1930, A. Smook conducted a detailed study on the nature and structures of humic compounds formed by micro-organisms in the soil. M.M. Kononova of Russia made an important contribution to humic compound research and published a book “Soil Organic Matter” in 1966. Russia played an important role in humic compound research. At the Russian university called Lomonosov Moscow Staten University several doctoral degrees have been earned in humic compound research.

1980 – 1999

During the eighties, researchers such as F.J. Stevenson built upon existing humic compound research. In 1982, Stevenson published a book “Humus Chemistry – Genesis, Composition, Reactions”, a second edition of which was published in 1994, including a great deal of information. In the nineties, many publications about humic compounds were published, including information about processes, structure and influence on plant growth and soil. Some of the publications in the nineties were: Senesi 1991 - 1993, Govi et al. 1991, Inbar 1990, Malcolm 1991, Pal 1992, Van der Venter et al. 1991, Biondi et al.1994, Duker et al. 1994, Van Rensburg et al. 1996, Further 1996, Hayes 1996.

Societies and Journals

An international organisation called” “International Humic Substances Society” holds an international congress every four years, with the latest one held in 1998. There are currently two international scientific journals called: “Humic Substances in Soil and Crop Sciences” and “Humic Substances in the Global Environment”.

Publications and papers

In South Africa, Dr. Izak Cronje and his co-workers have published various publications and patents, and also delivered papers at congresses as a contribution to humic compound research.

Here are a few of the patents, publications and papers:

Cronje, I.J. 1988. Process for the Oxidation of Coals. S. Afr. Patent, 88/4770, USA Patent 07/216,233.
Non-catalytical oxidation of water-slurried coal with oxygen. A promising new route to oxihumic and oxifulvic acids (7th Annual International Pittsburgh Coal Conference 10-14: 1990)
Biological evaluation of Bituminous coal-derived humic substances in two soil types at two different pH values (Journal of South African Horticultural Science 6(1): 1996)
Application of Fe and Zn to lime-rich soils in the form of formulated coal products (The Science of the Total Environment 117/118: 1992).
Stimulation of seedling root growth by coal-derived sodium humate (Plant and Soil 138: 1991).
Effect of coal-derived potassium humate on greenhouse cut roses: Economical advantages due to physiological and growth effects (8th Congress of Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences 23: 1999).
Root growth stimulation and yield effects in grapevines resulting from coal-derived potassium humate treatment (8th Congress of Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences 26: 1999).
Effect of coal-derived potassium humate on the anatomy, growth and physiology of young litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) trees (8th Congress of Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences 39: 1999).

Research and Development

Humic compounds are found everywhere in nature where organic material is present in soil, sediment and water. Various production methods exist and are continually being developed. The methods used are determined by the nature of the organic material being used as a source and also the end product required. Humic compounds are used internationally as agricultural products. Research is still being conducted actively worldwide into structure, production and applications.