Smarter Farming Starts Here: How Humic Acids Unlock the Full Power of Your Nitrogen

Farmers today are facing a tough equation: fertilizers are more expensive than ever, environmental rules are tightening, and every season brings more pressure to produce bigger yields with fewer inputs.

“How do I make the nitrogen I’m already applying work harder without increasing my costs or risking my soil?”

This is the big question for growers. And while many solutions are being offered, the most practical, profitable, and proven answer might surprise you: humic acids.

The Hidden Costs of Nitrogen Loss and the Simple Solution

Let’s start with what most growers already know but don’t always have the tools to fix. More than 50% of the nitrogen applied to fields is lost through leaching, volatilization, or runoff. That means half of your investment never reaches your plants. And it’s not just wasted money: this lost nitrogen contributes to water contamination and climate-damaging nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions.

Here’s where humic acids come in. These natural organic compounds mainly extracted from ancient plant matter are rich in functional groups like carboxyls and phenolics that bind ammonium and nitrate, holding nitrogen in the root zone longer. It’s like giving your soil a nitrogen savings account.

But humic acid doesn’t just retain nitrogen, it makes it work smarter. Studies have shown that combining humic acids with fertilizers leads to up to 27% higher nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), 17% more nitrogen uptake, and 12% higher yields on average.

In rice trials, foliar applications of humic acid with nitrogen significantly reduced nitrogen losses in drainage while boosting grain yield. And in strawberry fields, the same combination resulted in bigger biomass, richer leaf nitrogen, and higher chlorophyll levels.

At DHD Ag, we’ve taken this science to the next level with Nano-Humic Acids a highly concentrated and pure, nano-formulated product that penetrates the soil faster, moves deeper into the root zone, and is absorbed more efficiently by plants with our product HFPLUS. Thanks to its nano size, the product builds up in the soil over time, releasing nutrients gradually and synchronizing perfectly with your crop’s uptake cycle. That means quicker visible results, a longer-lasting effect, and fewer applications needed to maintain performance all while improving the long-term fertility of your soil.

How to Use HFPLUS to Maximize ROI on Nitrogen

Here’s the good news: using HFPLUS is straightforward. But like any input, results depend on timing, method, and dosage.

• When to apply: The best time is alongside or just before your nitrogen application. This allows the humic acid to stabilize the nitrogen before it begins to leach.

  
  

• How to apply: You can fertirrigate it, spray it on as a foliar, or inject it into the soil. It blends easily with common nitrogen sources like urea or ammonium sulfate.

  
  

• How much to use: Most growers see results using 13–27 lbs/acre (15-30kg/ha), depending on soil type, crop, and application method. Always start with a trial to calibrate for your field.

  
  

And here’s one more insight from the research: the benefits of humic acid aren’t limited to the current season. Because humic substances also stimulate soil microbes and improve nitrogen mineralization, you’re improving your soil’s ability to retain and cycle nitrogen over time. That’s real regeneration not just better yields today, but healthier soil tomorrow.

Final Thoughts: Making Every Pound of Nitrogen Count

The future of farming lies not in using more, but in using better.

With HFPLUS, you’re tapping into a scientifically validated approach to boost nitrogen efficiency, increase crop performance, and improve long-term soil health. It’s not just about yields; it’s about building a more resilient, resource-smart agricultural system.

Whether you're managing hundreds of acres or refining a high-value specialty crop, the path forward starts with insight and action. We encourage all growers to take a closer look to compare, measure, and evaluate the impact for yourself.

Innovation in agriculture doesn’t happen all at once; it builds season by season, decision by decision. And when you choose inputs that work smarter, you’re not just improving your field, but you’re shaping the future of farming.

To learn more about how HFPLUS is being trialed in different crops and regions, or to explore how it might fit into your operation contact us at info@dhdag.com or visit www.dhdag.com.

Bibliography

1. Guo, S., Wang, R., Liu, H., & Jiang, X. (2022). "Effect of Controlled-Release Fertilizer with Humic Acid on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Maize." Agriculture, 12(4), 448. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12040448

2. Osman, A. S., & Rady, M. M. (2013). "Effect of humic acid on growth and quality of strawberries grown under different salinity and nitrogen levels." Advances in Applied Science Research, 4(4), 174–183.

3. Jin, C., Zhou, Y., Shi, L., & Yang, X. (2024). "Effect of humic substances on nitrogen cycling and microbial activities in paddy soil." Journal of Environmental Management, 351, 119738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119738

4. Nguyen, M. L., de Klein, C. A. M., & Saggar, S. (2004). "Nitrous oxide emissions from nitrogen fertiliser applications in New Zealand’s dairy-grazed pastures." Soil Science Society of America Journal, 68(5), 1940–1949.

5. Pacheco Jiménez, N. (2020). "Effect of Humic Acid on Strawberry Plant Performance." Master's Thesis.

6. Amer, K. H., & Abd El-Hameed, H. M. (2023). "Effect of nitrogen fertilizer sources and foliar spray of humic and/or fulvic acids on yield and quality of rice plants." International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Research.