noun
- a salt or ester of humic acid, formed by the decomposition of organic matter in soil
Usage: chemistry; soil science
Examples
- Humates in the soil improve water retention and nutrient availability for plants.
- The farmer added humate to the field to enhance soil fertility.
- Humate compounds are studied for their role in carbon cycling in ecosystems.
- Potassium humate is commonly used as a soil amendment in agriculture.