Efficiency of various sources and doses

of humic acid on physical and chemical

properties of saline soil and growth and yield
of rice
Cite as: AIP Conference Proceedings 2019, 030001 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5061854
Published Online: 10 October 2018

Wanti Mindari, Purnomo Edi Sasongko, Zaenal Kusuma, et al.

ARTICLES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

The effect of humic acid and fulvic acid on adsorption-desorption behavior of copper and
zinc in the yellow soil
AIP Conference Proceedings 1820, 040027 (2017); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4977299

Effects of different activation processes of humic acids on the growth of oilseed rape
AIP Conference Proceedings 2110, 020021 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5110815

Effects of humic acid on vegetative growth, yield, oxalic acid and betacyanin content of red
amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.)
AIP Conference Proceedings 2260, 030011 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0015774

AIP Conference Proceedings 2019, 030001 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5061854 2019, 030001

© 2018 Author(s).
 Efficiency of Various Sources and Doses of Humic Acid on
Physical and Chemical Properties of Saline Soil and Growth
and Yield of Rice

Wanti Mindari 1,a) Purnomo Edi Sasongko1, Zaenal Kusuma2, Syekhfani2 and
Nurul Aini3

1
Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” East Java,
Jalan Raya Rungkut Madya, Surabaya 60294, East Java, Indonesia
2
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Brawijaya University, Jalan Veteran Malang 65145, East Java,
Indonesia
3
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Brawijaya University, Jalan Veteran Malang 65145, East Java,
Indonesia
a)
Corresponding author: wanti_m@upnjatim.ac.id

Abstract. Humic acid can neutralize soil pH, adsorb plant nutrients and clay as well as balance cations, thereby
increasing the stability of soil aggregates, plant uptake and yield. Sources and doses of humic acid have been estimated
for the efficiency of cation absorption. This experiment aimed to examine the effectiveness of various organic matter
sources and humic acid doses on nutrients availability. We prepared greenhouse experiments according to factorial
random block design (RBD). The first factor was three organic matters: compost, manure and coal, and the second factor
was six doses of humic acid: 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 g/kg. We evaluated the effectiveness of humic acid to change
soil salinity, pH, electric conductivity, cation exchange, permeability, aggregate stability and plant growth. The
experimental results showed that humic acid from peat increased plant biomass weight, plant roots, grain number of
tillers and chlorophyll content more than others. Humic acid efficiently can improve rice yields 10–20% supported by the
suitability of soil pH, nutrient availability and soil salinity.

Keywords: Cation absorption, conductivity, humic acid

INTRODUCTION

Salt stress decreases the photosynthesis and respiration rate of plants as well as total carbohydrate, fatty acid and
protein contents, but increases the level of amino acids, particularly proline.1 The content of some secondary plant
products is significantly higher in plants grown under salt stress than in those cultivated in normal conditions.
Salinity tolerance depends on the interaction between salinity and other environmental factors. There are two
methods to use saline soils to rice cultivation: agrotechnical methods of soil amelioration and breeding programs
resulting in rice plants with salt resistance at germination and flowering stages. In this research, we tried to improve
saline soil with humic acid (HA) as an ameliorant and Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) fertilizer used as
nutrient.2 Flood irrigation practices that are commonly used in rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant establishment may
contribute to salinity damage. The lowest salt level and pollen germination found significantly in reducing salinity.

The 9th International Conference on Global Resource Conservation (ICGRC) and AJI from Ritsumeikan University
AIP Conf. Proc. 2019, 030001-1–030001-8; https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5061854
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1737-3/$30.00

030001-1
Harvest index was significantly decreased when salinity was 3.40 dS/m and higher. Tiller number per plant and
spikelet number per panicle contributed the most variation in grain weight per plant under salinity. The
compensation between spikelets and other yield components was confounded by salinity effects, but was believed to
be minor relative to the reduction of spikelets due to salinity.3
The use of a humic materials in agriculture continues to grow and develop. There are some reports of either
success or ineffectiveness with use of this material, due to the large variety and methods of manufacturing
processes.4 Humic substances play an essential role in soil fertility and plant nutrition.5,6 Sometimes humic material
can provide a source for microorganisms, but the mechanism is not always the same. Humic acid exhibits functions
as urease and nitrification inhibitors in some conditions, it increases maize lateral roots growth, can be used to a
plant-growing environmental stimulator and is associated with stimulation of plasma membrane ATPase activity.
Humic acid can neutralize soil acidity and salinity, increase soil buffering and act as a natural chelator for metal ions
under alkaline conditions. They can promote absorption, increasing N uptake by plants, conversion of N, P, K, Fe,
Zn and other elements into available forms, but humic acid was not found to significantly lower salt. It reacts P with
Ca, Fe, Mg and Al and releases them in a way accessible to the plant.7,8,9 Other studies found that a mix of urea,
zeolite and 1% humic acid can increase rice growth and yield of the Ciherang variety. Application of humic
substances (0–4 g/kg) to saline soil one month before planting and liquid humic acid (0–0.2%) sprayed on leaves
two times after 20 and 40 days germination can increase nutrient uptake.9 Interaction between humic acid and N can
increase plant height, leaf number, the weight of plant biomass, roots and N uptake in quadratic response, but only if
fertilizing with N was not used. Application of humic acid was useful with a low dose of N.10 Humic acid (1 g) and
NPK (300 kg/ha) increased maize better than NPK without humic acid application.11
Humic acid is a relatively stable product of organic matter decomposition and, thus, accumulates in
environmental systems.12 Humic acid might benefit plant growth by chelating unavailable nutrients and buffering
pH. We examined the effect of HA on growth and micronutrient uptake in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown
hydroponically. Four root-zone treatments were compared: (i) 25 micromoles synthetic chelate N-(4-
hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (C10H18N2O7) (HEDTA) at 0.25 mM C; (ii) 25 micromoles synthetic
chelate with 4-morpholineethanesulfonic acid (C6H13N4S) (MES) at 5 mM C and pH buffer; (iii) HA at 1 mM C
without synthetic chelate or buffer; and (iv) no synthetic chelate or buffer. Ample inorganic Fe (35 micromoles Fe3+)
was supplied in all treatments. There was no statistically significant difference in total biomass or seed yield among
treatments, but HA was effective at ameliorating the leaf interveinal chlorosis that occurred during early growth of
the non-chelated treatment. Leaf-tissue Cu and Zn concentrations were lower in the HEDTA treatment relative to no
chelate (NC), indicating HEDTA strongly complexed these nutrients, thus reducing their free ion activities and,
hence, bioavailability. Humic acid did not complex Zn as strongly and chemical equilibrium modeling supported
these results. Titration tests indicated that HA was not an effective pH buffer at 1 mM C, and higher levels resulted
in HA-Ca and HA-Mg flocculation in the nutrient solution.
Humic acid is one of derivative of decomposed organic matter,4,13 it is one of the humic substances (SH) that is
soluble in alkalis but is not soluble in acids.14 Humic acid molecules are typically acquired as high-complex
mixtures of colloids. Humic acid subsequently replaces H+ with an alkaline cation and converts it into 'humic' salt
(Sachs). Humic acid has a higher molecular weight, higher C content, fewer acid functional groups (COOH- and
OH-) and less oxygen content than fulvic acid (FA). The study showed that that HA is considered to be composed of
circular molecules, long chains or crossed linked macromolecules of two or three dimensions and the main negative
charge derived from ionization of functional groups such as carboxy.l5 Because of its molecular structure, the overall
proportion depends on the soil organic content.15 Extraction of HA with NaOH and KOH causes HA to be saturated
with Na or K, so that the negative charge attracts a positive charge.16 Negative charges of hummus could improve
the dissociation of H+ from functional groups, though highly dependent on pH. Carboxylic groups of some carboxyl
groups of sufficient acid discharge below pH 6 and leave a negative charge in the R-COOH = R-COO- + H+ group
because the pH of the system rises above 6. The dissociation of H+ from the acid group along the pH range adds to
the humus negative charge. The separation of H+ from the phenol group (-OH), the amide (= NH) and the other
groups may also contribute to the negative charge. Protonated groups (R-OH2)+ and (R-NH3)+ can produce a positive
charge, but overall the hummus is negatively charged. The force (mainly COO-) permits the soil organic matter to
hold the cation so as not to be lost or washed away but in a form of exchange available to the plant.16 A study found
that each organic matter has various humic acid characteristics including CEC, C-org and a ratio of E4/E6.17 The
effects of interactions between NH4+ and K+ after HA coating on clay minerals decreased cation exchange capacity
(CEC) and specific surface area (SSA) of montmorillonite significantly.18 Results of Fourier transform infrared
spectrometry analysis showed that HA coating promoted the formation of H-bonds between the adsorbed NH+ and
the organo-mineral complexes. HA coating increased cation fixation capacity on montmorillonite and kaolinite, but

030001-2
the opposite occurred on illite. In addition, HA coating increased the competitiveness of NH+ on fixation sites. These
results showed that HA coating affected both the nature of clay mineral surfaces and the reactions of NH4+ and K+
with clay minerals, which might influence the availability of nutrient cations to plants in field soils amended with
organic matter.
Humic substances as part of humus-soil organic matter are compounds arising from the physical, chemical and
microbiological transformation (humification) of biomolecules. They are important because they constitute the most
ubiquitous source of non-living organic material known in nature. Approximately 80% of the total carbon in
terrestrial media and 60% of the carbon dissolved in aquatic media are made up of humic substances. Humic
substances have important roles in soil fertility and are considered to have primal relevance for the stabilization of
soil aggregates. Their purification process is cheaper than the synthesis of any other sorbent and, moreover, due to
their high operability they absorb more than the absorbents such as active charcoals or clays.19
Humic acid can increase soil nutrient status.20 The experiment was comprised of five levels of HA applied to soil
(0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/kg); two levels of soil plus foliar applied HA (0 and 100 mg/kg) tested on two different
soils, i.e. loam and silt loam, with the result that HA increased plant growth in terms of shoot length (18%), root
length (29%), shoot dry weight (76%), root dry weight (100%) and chlorophyll content (96%). Response of yield
and yield components displayed a significant increase in 1000-grains weight (8–16%), biological yield (18–36%),
dry matter yield (15–25%) and grain yield (19–58%). The relative increase in NPK uptake in plants grown under
HA was 57, 96 and 62%, respectively, over control. HA improved soil nutrient status by increasing organic matter
(9%), total N (30%), available P (166%) and available K (52%). Study of the effect of NPK fertilization and foliar
spraying with two liters of humic acid at rates of 1, 2 and 4 L/ found the highest values of spike length, number of
grains/spike, grains weight/spike and 1000-grains weight as well as grain yield over both seasons as compared with
other treatments. Higher contents of carbohydrates and proteins were recorded with the same rate of humic acid
treatment.21
Humic acids formed during the Rekulter decomposition process in soil had higher content of carbon (38.6%
versus 35.4%), a lower content of nitrogen (1.50% versus 2.73%) and a higher resistance to thermal decomposition,
when compared with humic acids extracted from soils without Rekulter application.22 Application of 100%
Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) (150:50:50 NPK kg/ha) with HA yielded maximum root length (58.8
m/hill), higher chlorophyll content (2.61 mg/g), Leaf Area Duration (LAD) (151 days), more filled grain percentage
(69.1) and yield (5616 kg/ha). Subsurface drip plus 100% RDF with HA plants showed favorable morphological
growth characteristics with improved yield attributes leading to higher grain yields because humic acid improved
plant physiological processes by enhancing the availability of major and minor nutrients as well as enhancing the
vitamins, amino acids and also auxin, cytokinin and abscisic acid (ABA) contents of the plants. The lengthier root
(59.1 m/hill), high chlorophyll content (2.66 mg/g), LAD (141 days), more productive tillers (680 tillers/m2) and
yield (5645 kg/ha) were produced under subsurface drip irrigation.23
The objective of the study was to examine the character of humic acid and its role in chelating soil salts and its
effects on nutrient availability and rice growth and yield.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Site Study And Treatment

We took soil samples from the village of Gununganyar Surabaya at depths of 0–20 cm. This sample indicated to
represent saline soil. The soil samples were dried and filtered with 2.0 mm and 0.5 mm sieves. The soil samples had
the following characteristics: slow-medium permeability (2.2–25.5 mL/h, clay texture (60–62%), pH 7.50–7.55, EC
1.77–1.83 mS/cm; exch-Ca 19.4–20.4, exch-Mg 3.8–4.3; exch-K 2.60–2.73 and exch-Na 0.8–0.9 mol/kg, CEC value
48.22–52.95 mol C/kg and C-org 1.58–2.46%.
We extracted humic acid from compost, coal and cow dung sieved with 2 mm sieve, with 0.5 N NaOH at 1:10,
for 24 h and sedimented with HCl to pH 2.15 Humic acid purification by washing with HF:HCl at 1:3 was followed
by water up to three times. Pure humic acid was dried at a temperature of about 40 ℃ and saved in a bottle.

Experimental Design
We arranged a pot experiment in a completely randomized factorial design. The first factor comprises three
sources of organic matter: compost, manure and coal, while the second factor includes six levels humic acid powder

030001-3
of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 g/kg. We repeated each treatment combination three times. We weighed a 30 kg soil
sample equivalent to absolute dry weight. Humic acid was dissolved in water according to the dose and mixed
evenly into the soil. We incubated the mixture of soil and humic acid at field capacity with room temperature and
humidity for two weeks. After incubation, adding base fertilizers of NPK 15:15:15, ZA and SP36: 100, 200 and 350
kg/ha. Rice seeds were seeded with mixed soil and compost media at approximately a 1:1 ratio. Rice was planted at
15 cm height. Two seedlings of rice were planted per pot and then light irrigation (ECw < 1) was applied up to
saturation. Plants were thinned to one plant per pot two weeks after planting and maintained until harvest, giving
water until the soil was soaked with EC < 1 mS/cm. Plants were maintained in a screen house where the
temperatures ranged from 27ºC to 30ºC. Pest control, if necessary, was by mechanical handling.

Sampling And Assessment

Humic acid pH was adjusted by adding a few drops of KOH. EC of HA was measured in a powder or liquid
form. The value of C-organic was estimated by the Walkey and Black method as proposed by Pansu (2003).14
Percent of HA was measured gravimetrically at a temperature of about 100°C. Estimation of the value of E4 and E6
HA (1 mL HA liquid:10 mL 0.05 N NHACO3) at 465 and 665 nm (Spectro Pharo 100), respectively. The E4/E6
ratio values were obtained by dividing the amount of E4 with E6. Measurement of CEC of HA with 1N NH4OAc at
pH 7 extraction. Measurement of soil chemistry characteristics (pH, EC, C-organic) was from a depth of soil
subsample (0–10 cm), 30 days after treatment (DAT) with HA with the same method as before. Evaluation of the
plant growth of rice for hay and roots dry weight, plant length and the number of rice tillers was 35 days after
planting (DAP).

Method of Collecting Data

Evaluation of the effects of humic acid and organic matter on rice growth (plant length, the number of saplings,
weight of dried straw and root dry weight at 35 HST) was on saline soils. Analysis of total nitrogen was performed
by the micro-Kjeldahl method, while available phosphorus was with the Olsen method. Analysis of exchangeable
potassium and plant K uptake were analyzed with a flame photometer. Measurement of soil permeability was with
hydraulic conductivity. Plant nitrogen and phosphorus uptake were analyzed by leaf index. All of experiments were
conduct at the Faculty of Agriculture UPN "Veteran” East Java

Data Analysis
Data analysis from the research is presented in tables and graphs. The results of physical and chemical properties
of soil analysis after treatment were correlated to the procedure. The data of HA characteristics was corrected to
kinds of organic materials and associated with the growth parameters and soil chemical characteristics. The resulting
value was correlated with the growth parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using Microsoft
Excel. Means of values were tested by Least Significance Different (LSD) at P = 0.05 to determine effects on soil
salinity and rice growth from levels and kinds of humic acid.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Results
Effects of Humic Acid (HA) from Various Sources

The characteristics yields of humic acid (HA) from various sources of organic matter are presented in Table 1.
The order of humic acid content from high to low was coal > compost > manure, at 4.6:2.6:1.8% respectively.

030001-4
 TABLE 1. C-organic values, percentage of humic, E4 / E6 ratio, EC, and CEC humic acid various sources of organic matter
C-org
C-org liquid HA CEC
No Organic materials Origin powder E4/E6
…… (%) …… Cmol.kg-1
1 Coal Kalimantan Tengah 23.07 29.27 4.60 2.37 104.09
2 Compost Gunung Anyar 8.59 16. 39 2,60 3.71 80.72
3 Manure Gunung Anyar 4.21 9.81 1.80 4.40 59.48

TABLE 2. Correlation between paddy growth yield and saline soil chemical characteristics after HA application 0-2.5 g.kg-1

Dose HA Na K pH EC Hey Root dry weight Grain weihgt

Parameter
g.kg-1 Cmol.kg-1 ....... mS/cm g/tanaman
Ca exch -0.26
Na exch -0.76 1.00
K exch 0.45 -0.63 1.00
pH -0.74 0.76 -0.53 1.00
EC -0.58 0.70 -0.49 0.52 1.00
SAR -0.78 1.00 -0.66 0.75 0.70
Permeability -0.15 -0.05 0.24 0.04 0.02
Volume weight -0.43 0.35 -0.38 0.52 0.37
field capasity 0.69 -0.49 0.19 -0.54 -0.44
Dry weight of hay 0.62 -0.83 0.67 -0.82 -0.43 1.00
Root dray weight 0.65 -0.92 0.65 -0.79 -0.73 0.86 1.00
Grain weihgt 0.67 -0.73 0.28 -0.41 -0.70 0.46 0.69 1.00
P uptake 0.71 -0.84 0.77 -0.82 -0.57 0.78 0.78 0.50
Ca uptake 0.65 -0.64 0.19 -0.52 -0.30 0.70 0.62 0.63

FIGURE 1. Rice growth in various HA applications of compost, manure, and coal.

030001-5
 FIGURE 2. Levels of Ca and P of rice plants on various HA applications of compost, manure and coal.

Plant P uptake: ycompost = -4.81x2 + 25.38x + 156.82, R² = 0.65

ymanure = -18.72x2 + 66.32x + 149.59, R² = 0.98
ycoal = -20.68x2 + 64.37x + 149.09, R² = 0.98

Plant Ca uptake: ycompost = 21.72x2 – 17.56x + 58.56, R² = 0.89

ymanure = -42.17x2 + 135.19x + 55.81, R² = 0.98
ycoal = -25.60x2 + 85.78x + 40.98, R² = 0.84

Discussion
The content of C-organic in HA powder was higher than HA liquid. The C-organic content was positively
correlated with % HA and CEC, but negatively associated with E4/E6 values. A ratio value of E4/E6 < 5 indicates
the character of humic acid, while a ratio value E4/E6 > 5 is fulvic acid.15 The ratio value of E4/E6 for humic acid of
the experimental material was < 5 (2.90–4.74). This value is slightly different from that expressed by Tan, who
obtained a E4/E6 HA ratio extracted from the soil around 4–5.15 This indicates that the C-org content of organic
matter and its derivation is higher than the C-org content of the soil. The higher the humic acid content, the more it
will be able to absorb ions, thereby increasing its availability to the plant. Influences of coal, manure and compost to
soil chemistry and physics varied dependent on humic acid content, CEC and soil salinity. The addition of humic
acid decreased the soil salinity by the correlation value of Na-dd, pH and SAR, respectively at 76%, 74% and 78%.
This condition is suspected to occur because humic acid exchanges H+ ions with soil Na so that the Na content goes
down and H+ levels increase, causing soil pH, Na-dd and SAR to decrease. The correlation values of HA and EC
were low (58%) due to low soil salinity, so that the AH application response was not visible. Soil permeability and

030001-6
volume weight were negatively correlated to humic acid content while field capacity was positively correlated to
them, respectively at -0.15, -0.43 and 0.69. Humic acid bound loose particles into a steady aggregate, thus
improving the movement of water and air in the soil.
Extraction of humic acid with NaOH causes HA to saturate with Na so that the negative charge will attract a
positive charge. The surface area and adsorption capacity per unit mass of hummus are more significant than the
silicate mineral layer. The dissociation of the H+ functional group improved the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of
humus. All humus loads are heavily dependent on pH, with humic acid and fulvic acid behaving as weak
polyelectrolytes. Separation of carboxyl and phenol can produce 85% to 90% of the negative charge of humus.
Application of humic acid resulted in the ability of them to provide nutrients for plant growth. Levels of
exchangeable Na were negatively correlated with rice growth outcomes including weight of straw, root weight, grain
weight, P uptake and Ca uptake, respectively at 83%, 92%, 73%, 84% and 64%. Suspected high Na content in the
area of the roots will prevent the movement of nutrients from entering the roots of plants so that it will reduce the
ability to absorb nutrients and the results become low. Addition of humic acid increases growth parameters by about
60–70%, allegedly HA reduces soil Na content so that the availability of nutrients increases and growth is better.
Efficiency of these factors on plant growth also depends on the percentage of humic acid and nutrient availability if
another factors are not problems. Humic acid from cow manure was more efficient than coal and compost, and was
estimate to contain more nutrients other than organic matter despite containing higher humic acid. So it can absorb
and chelate more nutrients, which increases availability for plants. Doses of HA from coal of 1.0–1.5 g/kg were
optimum for dry weight of hay, while doses HA from compost were efficient at 1.5–2.0 g/kg.
On the other hand, the addition of NPK fertilizer will be more readily available to the plant. Addition of the HA
can increase plant P and Ca content. The positive charge side of humic acid will absorb H2PO4- and the negative
charge side adsorbs Ca2+ to be transferred to the plant roots. However, content of plant Ca (51.05–197.75 ppm) was
lower than plant P content (148.78–209.19 ppm), which showed that P uptake was higher than Ca. Phosphorus was a
mobile element that facilitated uptake by plant roots. It was a primary macronutrient that plants need more than
calcium (secondary macronutrient) so that more was absorbed by plants as shown in Fig. 1.
Other research found that the combination of HA (1500 mg/kg) + K2O (300 mg/kg) + P2O5 (150 mg/kg)
increased the soil N, P, K, Ca, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn and Cu at p < 0.005. 24,25 They obtained optimum yield at a dose of 69
mg/kg P and 750 mg/kg HA. The value of Na content in shoots and roots decreases with increasing doses of
humic.26 A previous study found that combined doses of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg HA with 50 mg/kg CaNO3 increased
dry weight and fresh leaves, root and stem diameter, root length and shoots in saline soil greater than 60 mM NaCl
optimally.26 The highest HA dose (4000 mg/kg) with CaNO3 (100 and 150 mg/kg) decreased these criteria under
saline conditions. Humic acid treatment from coal provided the best results followed by compost and cow manure.
Other studies found that application of keratitis humus at 0, 2 or 4 g/kg one month before planting increased
uptake of N by corn (Khaled and Fawy (2011) 9, Turan (2011) 25 and Asik (2011). 7,9, 25Humus dose of 0.12 g/kg
of soil increased the uptake of N by wheat and decreased soil salinity from a concentration of 60 mM NaCl or 40%
CaCO3. Humic acid dosages for saline soil of 0–1500 g/kg and K at 0–300 g/kg or P at 0–150 mg/kg may increase
N, P, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn or Cu content and plant growth at P < 0.005. They found optimum yield at a dose of 69
mg/kg P with HA at 750 mg/kg. The value of Na content in shoots and roots decreases with increasing doses of
humic.24, 25
The application of humic acid can exchange K or NH4+ with other nutrients, thereby increasing their availability
for the plant. High leaf chlorophyll content found in NH4 treatment indicated that the release of NH4 to plant roots
caused high N uptake that supported the formation of leaf chlorophyll. Leaf chlorophyll plays a role in the process
of carbohydrate photosynthesis of elements C, H and O taken from the air, water and soil together with sunlight. The
resulting carbohydrates are transformed into all the organs of the plant, including shoots, thereby increasing the
height or length of the plant, plant roots and leaves. The higher the HA given, the higher the provided K or NH4.
Nitrogen absorbed by plants, in addition to the function of composing chlorophyll, serves as a protein constituent
and together with phosphorus (P) synthesizes ATP and ADP, which act as energy during the release and absorption
of nutrients to and from plant cells. Potassium releasing by humic acid will help the removal of other nutrients, such
as the N present in the soil solution. Effects of this condition will increase nutrient availability. The correlations
between parameters of HA applications are presented in Table 2. The dry weight of the grain was positively
correlated with K and negatively associated with Na, EC and soil pH. Giving HA is positively correlated with K and
Mg content, moisture content, plant weight (root, straw and grain), plant Ca and P, but negatively associated with
soil Ca, Na, pH, EC, bulk density and permeability. Addition of HA can suppress excess Na and Ca, thus reducing
toxic and osmotic effects, causing soil pH and EC to go down and nutrient availability for the plant to increase.
Humic acid from manure was more efficient at increasing grain dry weight and plant uptake of Ca and P than HA

030001-7
from compost and coal. On the other hand, HA from coal was efficient in increasing dry weight of hay and root at
about 1.0–1.5 g/kg.

SUMMARY
Characteristics and content of humic acid varies between sources of organic matter. The humic acid content of
coal is greater than compost and cow manure based on the value of the E4/E6 ratio. The addition of HA has a
negative correlation value to exch-Na, pH, SAR, soil permeability and volume weight, while parameters of plant
growth and field capacity have a positive correlation. Application of humic acid at about 1.0–1.5 g/kg can be used to
improve soil chemistry and physics of saline soil and plant growth. Humic acid from manure or compost was more
effective in improving plant growth and plant uptake than humic acid from coal. Humic acid from coal was effective
to increase dry weight of root and hay. The combination of 1.0–1.5 g/kg HA + NPK enhances nutrient availability,
improves soil pH to about 7 and EC to about 1–2 mS/cm, grain dry weight of paddy and plant Ca and P uptake.
Efficiency of humic acid application depends on the source of organic material, which can be used to guide
application. Humic acid should be mixed to the soil with a quickly soluble fertilizer so that nutrients are readily
available to plants. Using low humic dose applications on low soil salinity classes and vice versa.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work was supported by the Directorate Reasearch and Social Services Ministry of Research Technology
and Higher Education Republic of Indonesia.

REFERENCES
1. Z. Jouyban, Tech J Engin App Sci. 2,7-10 (2012).
2. G. Zelensky, Montpellier : CIHEAM 113, 109-113 (1999).
3. L. Zeng and M. C. Crop Sci. 40, 996-1003 (1998).
4. R. L. Mikkelsen. Better Crop. 89, 6-10 (2005).
5. D. L Sparks. Environmental Soil Chemistry Second Edition. (Academic Press, USA, 2003).
6. E. P. Robert, IGARSS, 2014, 1-5 (2014).
7. B. B. Asik, M. A. Turan, H. Celik and A. V. Katkat, Asian J Crop Sci.1,87-95 (2009).
8. K. R. Pratomo, Suwardi and Darmawan, Zeolit Indones. 8, 83-88(2009).
9. H. Khaled and H. A. Fawy, Soil Water Res. 2011, 21-29 (2011).
10. Sarno and E. Firtia, Pros SNSMAIP. 3, 288-293 (2012).
11. W. Mindari, N. Aini and Z. Kusuma, J Degrad Min LANDS Manag. 2, 259-268 (2014).
12. C. L. Mackowiak, P. R. Grossl and B. G. Bugbee, Soil Sci Soc Am J. 65, 1744-1750 (2001).
13. E. M. Peña-Méndez, J. Havel and J. Patočka, J Appl Biomed. 3,13-24. (2005).
14. M. Pansu and J. Gautheyrou, Handbook of Soil Analysis (Springer, Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2006).
15. K. H. Tan, Humic Matter in Soil and the Environment. 1st ed. (Marcel Dekker. INC, New York, 2003).
16. R. Bucat, V. Gardiner, K. Lim, R. Menz, M. Mocerino, S. Monteath et al., React to chemistry : a resource
book of ideas for National Science Week 2011(Australian Science Teachers Association, Canverra, 2011).
17. W. Mindari, W. Guntoro, Z. Kusuma, and Syekhfani, “Isolation and Characterization of Humic Acid of
Various Waste Matterial on Saline Soil and Their Effects to Paddy,” in International Conference on Green
Agro-Industry (ICGAI), proceeding 2, (University of Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta,
2013) pp. 234-242.
18. W. Z. Zhang, X. Q. Chen, J. M. Zhou, D. H. Liu, H. Y. Wang and C. W. Du, Pedosphere 23, 493-502 (2013).
19. M. E. Peña-méndez, J. Havel and J. Patočka, J Appl Biomed. 3, 13-24 (2005).
20. T. Arjumend, M. K. Abbasi and E. Rafique, Pakistan J Bot. 47, 2231-2238 (2015).
21. F. M. Manal, A. T. Thalooth, Amal, G. Ahmed and M. H. Mohamed, Int J ChemTech Res. 9, 154-161 (2016).
22. B. Debska, A. Maciejewska and J. Kwiatkowska, Rostl Vyroba. 48, 33-39 (2002).
23. K. Vanitha and S. Mohandass, The bioscan. 9, 45-50 (2014).
24. M. Paksoy, O. Turkmen and A. Dursun, Afr J Biotechnol. 9, 5343-5346 (2010).
25. K. M. Çimrin, Ö. Türkmen, M. Turan, and B. Tuncer, African J Biotechnol. 9, 5845-5851 (2010).
26. F. Gulser, F. Sonmez and S. Boysan, J Environ Biol. 31(5 SUPPL.), (873-876) 2010.

030001-8