Research shows the
benefits of humic materials

Our goal is to help educate our partners on the most recent innovations in humic acid technology and the benefits of adding humic to your soil health program.

Our Resource

Our deposit of humalite – a weathered type of sub-bituminous coal found only in Alberta and used exclusively for Black Earth Products. Black Earth humics are guaranteed to contain at least 80% humic acid (Colorometric), many of which are certified organic.

High in humic and fulvic acids yet low in ash and toxic metals, our humalite is superior to lignite and leonardite. By harnessing its chemical and physical potential we develop innovative, highly effective products for a wide range of applications in the agricultural, environmental and industrial sectors.

Almond nuts on branch of almond tree

Testing Method

All humiZen products use the “HPTA” testing method to report humic & fulvic acid content. Most suppliers report content using a simple analysis called the “colorimetric” method. This method shows a higher result but is less accurate and is easily deceived by non-humic additives. We hold the humiZen brand to the highest standards and have chosen the highest standard of analysis.

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Applied Research

A significant amount of research has been completed to substantiate various claims of the use of humus materials.

Our company has completed numerous projects with major institutions and companies, such as Agriculture Canada, Alberta Agriculture, Alberta Research Council, Guelph Turf Grass Institute, University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba, Dalhousie University and National Water Research Institute. Dr. Morris Schnitzer, a notable world class scientist in humic substances, was involved in several of our projects. Together with results obtained by others, research shows the many benefits of humic substances contained in humus materials:

  • They improve soil texture and water retention.
  • Humic substances are similar to auxin growth hormone, improving living cell metabolism / growth.
  • They perform similarly to chelating agents and surfactants.
  • Humic substances provide available carbon to microorganism.
  • Humic substances are generally safe to the environment and all living organisms.

Case studies completed by our team:

PRODUCE:
CEREAL, CORN & CRUCIFEROUS:
TUBERS & BULBS:
BEANS:

Research Projects

All of our products are backed by science and rigorously tested. Through testing and greenhouse trials, we ensure we are bringing our partners top-quality products backed by data and proven results.

Product Characteristics

  • Detailed component and source characterizations of humic materials
  • Safety of humic materials (on explosibility and toxicity)
  • Base and acid soluble fractions of humic materials

Product Efficacy

  • Tomatoes, onions, lettuce, peppers, apples, grapes and blueberries
  • Corn, soybeans, beans, potatoes, alfalfa, canola, wheat and barley
  • Turf grass
  • Hydrocarbons, salts and toxic metals remediation of soil / mine tailings
  • Groundwater contaminants flushing

New Product Development

  • Oil soluble and causticized humic products
  • Nutrients enhanced liquid fulvic
  • Organic Liquid humic
  • Minerals enhanced humic products for livestock feed additives
  • Powder and granular humic products at different particle size distributions

Articles on Humic by Others (all available from us)

  • 1973. O’ Donnell, R. W. The Auxin Like Effects of Humic Preparations from Leonardite. Soil Science. 116 (2): 106 – 112
  • 1973. Visser, S.A. Some Biological Effects of Humic Acids in the Rat. Acta Biol Medica Germanica. 569 – 581
  • 1983. Duplessis, G. L and MacKenzie, A. F. Effects of Leonardite Applications on Phosphorous Availability and Corn Growth. Canadian Journal of Soil Science. 63: 749 – 751
  • 1985. Visser, S. A. Efect of Humic Acids on Numbers and Activities of Micro-Organisms within Physiological Groups. Organic Geo-Chemistry 8(1): 81-85
  • 1986. Xudan, X. The Effect of Foliar Application of Fulvic Acid on Water Use, Nutrient Uptake and Yield in Wheat. Australian Journal of Agriculture Research. 37: 343 – 350
  • 1987. Visser, S. A. Effect of Humic Substances on Mitochondrial Respiration and Oxidative Phosphorylation. Science of Total Environment. 62: 347 – 354
  • 1990. Al-kanani, T.et.al. Volatilization Ammonia from Urea-Ammonium Nitrate Solutions as Influenced by Organic and Inorganic Additives. Fertilizer Research (23) : 113 – 119
  • 1993. Fagbenro, J. A. and Agboola, A. A. Effect of Different Levels of Humic Acid on the Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Teak Seedlings. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 16(8): 1465 – 1483
  • 1995. Hoffman, G. K. et al. Overview of Humate Production in North America. New Brunswick Dept of Natural Resources and Energy, Minerals and Energy Division, Misc Report 16: 50 – 70
  • 1995. Wang, X. J. et al. The Effects of Humic Acids on the Availability of Phosphorous Fertilizers in Alkaline Soils. Soil Use and Management. 11: 99 – 102
  • 1995. Fuchs, B. et al. The Effect of Feeding Piglets up to the 100th Day of their Life with Peat Preparation. Archivum Veterinarium Polonicum. 35(1-2) : 97-107
  • 1996. Lovley, D. R. et al. Humic Substances as Electron Acceptor for Microbial Respiration. Nature (382): 445 – 448
  • 1999. The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products: Humic Acids and their Sodium Salts. 2 pages
  • 1998. Cooper, R.J. et al. Influence of Humic Substances on Rooting and Nutrient Content of Creeping Beutgrass. Crop Science. 38 : 1639 – 1644
  • 2000. Chirase, N. K. et al. Effect of Biopro™ on Performance and Serum Metabolic Concentrations of Beef Steers. Journal of Animal Science. 78 (Suppl 2): 105 – 106
  • 2001. Kim, S. W. et al. Use of a Natural Carbon-Mineral Supplement in Swine Diets: Effects on Pig Growth. Journal of Animal Science. 80 (Suppl 1): 281
  • 2002. Kocabagli, N. et al. The effects of Dietary Humate Supplementation on Broiler Growth and Carcass Yield. Poultry Science. 81: 227 – 230
  • 2004. Yoruk, M. A. et al. The Effects of Supplementation of Humate and Probiotic on Egg Production and Quality Parameters during the Late Laying Periods in Hens. Poultry Science. 83: 84 – 88
  • 2005. Trckova, M. et al. Peat as a Feed Supplement for Animals: A Review. Veterinary Medicine. 50 (8): 361 – 377
  • 2006. Ji, F.et.al. Effect of Dietary Humic Substances on Pig Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Ammonia E-Mission. Journal of Animal Science (84) : 2482 – 2490