Humic substances are the end product of organic matter decomposition—complex molecular structures that took millions of years to form. But not all humic substances are the same. The two most important components are humic acid and fulvic acid, and understanding their differences is key to understanding why KARA works the way it does.
Humic acids are large molecules. They're too big to enter plant cells directly, so they work primarily in the soil matrix. They bind to clay particles and organic matter, improving soil structure. They hold onto nutrients and release them slowly over time. They're the long-term conditioners—the foundation builders.
Fulvic acids are smaller. Small enough to penetrate plant cell walls and deliver nutrients directly where they're needed. They chelate minerals—wrapping around them in a way that makes them absorbable by plants. They're the immediate delivery system—the quick-response team.
The magic happens when you combine them. Research from Virginia Tech found that plants treated with both humic and fulvic acids showed 50% more root mass than those treated with either component alone. The combination is more than the sum of its parts.
This is why KARA uses a specific 5:2 ratio of humic to fulvic acids. It's not arbitrary—it's based on the natural ratio found in the highest-quality leonardite deposits, the ratio that has consistently shown the best results in field trials.
When you apply KARA to your soil, the humic acids begin their slow work of conditioning and structure-building. Meanwhile, the fulvic acids immediately start chelating available minerals and delivering them to your plants. Short-term results with long-term benefits.