Agricultural humic acid products have the potential to increase crop yields by helping
plants take up nutrients more easily through the promotion of soil microbial activity.
Humic acids can also stabilize soil structure in compacted soils, increasing water holding
capacity while preventing erosion. There are numerous humic products available in
Alberta that can be applied as either a granular or liquid soil amendment. Liquid humic is
usually applied at seeding or as a foliar spray at the two to four leaf stage. Calcium and
magnesium are vital minerals for plant growth that are not readily available for uptake in
the soil. The Cal Mag solution aims to improve broadleaf crop performance by providing
these nutrients in liquid form and neutralizing acidic soils. This research trial investigates
whether humic acid and the calcium-magnesium product will boost pulse crop yields and
grain quality in a dry growing season in Northern Alberta’s Peace Region.