Physiological effects of humic substances on higher plants

The physiological effects of humic substances (HS) on some aspects of plant growth and metabolism are examined. Evidence has been presented on that the effect of HS on plant growth depends on the source, concentration and molecular weight humic fraction. While a low molecular size (LMS<3500 Da) fraction easily reaches the plasmalemma of higher plant cells and, in part, is taken up into them, a high molecular size fraction (HMS>3500 Da) is not absorbed and can interact only with the cell wall. Therefore, a LMS fraction is the major candidate for determining the positive effects of HS on plant growth. The latter effects are in part exerted at the level of the plasma membrane by positively influencing the uptake of some nutrients, and in particular that of nitrate. The effects on the intermediary metabolism are less understood, albeit it seems that HS may influence both respiration and photosynthesis. Humic matter appears also to display an hormone-like activity. It is not clear if this activity is strictly linked to the chemical structure of HS or whether it depends on hormones of microbial origin entrapped into them. In any case, HS exhibit stimulatory effects on plant cell growth and development.