LHC Application Rates

Because soil conditions vary greatly, specific instructions on the minimum and maximum values for using humic acids are not available. Given the history of humic acids, the below values are approximations as determined by available research on the use of humic acids.


Experience with individual conditions will determine if more, or less than recommended will provide optimum performance.


Mixing with pesticides and herbicides
LHC may not be suitable for mixing with herbicides and pesticides as adverse reactions may occur. It should be applied separately from any herbicide or pesticide.


HOW MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

Some users of humic acid products have not seen good results because they either did not put enough humic acid on the field, or they put on too much. Studies made at CSU, Fresno demonstrated 10% or greater yield improvements on cotton, tomatoes and other field crops when an adequate amount of leonardite extract was applied.

 

Most of the positive effects of humic acids are optimum when the soil solution reaches a concentration of 100 ppm. To achieve this, a total of 67 pounds per acre of humic substances must be applied to the soil. The amount of material can be reduced when a combination of soil applications and foliars are applied.

 

Multi-year application can also help achieve optimal levels. Excessive applications can result in hormone-like leaf curling or excessive bloom concentrations in vegetable crops.


RECOMMENDED APPLICATION RATE – ¼-1/2 gal (2.5-5 lbs) / ACRE, per Application
FOLIAR APPLICATION STAGES

PLANT TYPE

1st. Application

2nd. Application

3rd. Application

Beans, Peas

4 Leaf

First Bloom

First Pod

Carrots, Onions, Turnips

21 Days After Emerg

Root Enlargement

Every 21 Days

Broccoli, Cauliflower

4-6 Leaf

Plus 14 Days

Heading

Cabbage

4 Leaf

Plus 10 Days

Heading

Corn

3 Leaf

30 Inch Growth

Tasseling

Peppers, Melons, Squash

6 to 8 Inch Growth

Pre Bloom

Fruit Set

Greens

4 Leaf

 

 

Potatoes

Tuber Set

Plus 14 Days

Early Bloom

Tomatoes

6 - 8 Inch Growth

First Bloom

Fruit Set


Table 2.
FOLIAR APPLICATION RATES / ACRE

FRUIT

APPLICATION
RATE / ACRE

1st. Application

2nd. Application

3rd. Application

Apples Pears

32-64 oz (2.5-5lbs)

Green Tip

Pre-Bloom

Early Formation

Citrus

32-64 oz.(2.5-5lbs)

Early Bloom

Petal Fall

6 weeks prior to harvest

Grapes

32-64 oz.(2.5-5lbs)

At 25 - 30 cm.

Full Bloom

Berry Set

Stone Fruit

40 oz.(3 lb)

Bud

Full Bloom

Early Fruit Formation

Strawberries

40 oz.(3 lb)

Spring Growth

First Pre-Bloom

First Fruit Set

 

Alfalfa : Foliar application

-         ½ gallon (5lbs) per acre, first of season

-         ½ gallon (5lbs) per acre after the first cut

-         ½ gallon (5lbs) per acre after the second cut

-         ½ gallon (5lbs) per acre after the third cut

-         ¼  gallon (2.5lbs) per acre after the last cut

 

Corn : Irrigation option

-         1/4 gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre in any planter band with liquid fertilizer

-         ¼ gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre in any side-dress or lay-by of liquid fertilizer

-         ½ gallon (5 lbs) per acre with first fertilizer application

 

Corn : Irrigation option

-         ¼ gallon (2.5lbs) per acre per week in irrigations

 

Cotton : Irrigation option

-  1/4 gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre in any planter band with liquid fertilizer

-         ¼ gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre in any side-dress or lay-by of liquid fertilizer

 

Cotton : Irrigation option

-         ½ gallon (5 lbs) per acre in early irrigation

-         ½ gallon (5 lbs) per acre at first bloom

 

Melons : Irrigation Option

- ½  gallon (5 lbs) per acre in any planter band with liquid fertilizer

-         2/3 gallon (7.5 lbs) per acre in any side-dress or lay-by of liquid fertilizer

 

Melons : Irrigation Option

-         2/3 gallon (7.5 lbs) per acre in early irrigation

-         2/3 gallon (7.5 lbs) per acre at first bloom

-         ¼ gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre in later irrigations

 

Onion : Irrigation option

-         ½ gallon (5 lbs) per acre in germination irrigation

-         ¼ gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre in four irrigations

-         ½ gallon (5 lbs) per acre before bulking

-         ½ gallon (5 lbs) per acre during bulking

 

Peppers : Irrigation option

- ½  gallon (5 lbs) per acre in any planter band with liquid fertilizer

- ½  gallon (5 lbs) per acre in any side-dress or lay-by of liquid fertilizer

Peppers : Irrigation option

-         2/3 gallon (7.5 lbs) per acre in early irrigation

-         2/3 gallon (7.5 lbs) per acre at first bloom

-         ¼ gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre in later irrigations

 

Sugar Beet : irrigation option

- ½  gallon (5 lbs) per acre in any planter band with liquid fertilizer

-  2/3   gallon (7.5 lbs) per acre in any side-dress or lay-by of liquid fertilizer

- ¼ gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre, per week, through july

 

Tomato : Irrigation option

- 1/2 gallon (5 lbs) per acre in any planter band with liquid fertilizer

-         ¼ gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre in any side-dress fertilizer

 

Tomato : Irrigation option

-         2/3 gallon (7.5 lbs) per acre in early irrigation

-         2/3 gallon (7.5 lbs) per acre at first bloom

-         ¼ gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre in later irrigations

 

Wheat : Irrigation option

-         ¼ gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre in early irrigation, or early fertilization

-         ½ gallon (5 lbs) per acre in next fertilization

-         ½ gallon (5 lbs) per acre in last fertilization

-         ¼ gallon (2.5 lbs) per acre, per week in irrigations