PEAT HUMIC SUBSTANCES AND EARTHWORM BIOHUMUS EXTRACTS FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS

Extracts for agricultural use were prepared using cavitation method at 45 oc and at 95 oc frompeat and earthworm biohumus. samples of all studied extracts had similar dry-matter content.peat humic substances and earthworm biohumus extracts were analysed using uv-vis, ft-ir,and fluorescence spectrometry. trace element analysis was performed with atomic absorptionspectrometry. extracts were tested for acidity, conductivity, humic acid concentration, and carboxylgroup concentration. hydrophobicity was assessed using a water-polyethylene glycol twophasesystem and calculation of the partition coefficient. total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrationwas determined. concentration of the humic substances slightly changed during the heatingprocess. significant changes in total phosphorus concentration was observed both inearthworm humus and peat extract. thermal treatment caused decrease of hydrophobicity andlower concentration of organic matter in extracts, while carboxyl group concentrations in isolatedhumic substances practically did not change. the calculated ratio from uv-vis spectra showedsignificant difference in humification degree of samples.