Structure-Based Function of Humic Acid in Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants: A Review
Humic acid (HA), a major component of soil organic matter, is a naturally occurring macromolecule formed through the decomposition of plant and microbial residues. Its molecular structure comprises functional groups such as carboxyl, phenolic, hydroxyl, and carbonyl functional groups, which enable H...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| author | Farhan Nabi Ahmed Sarfaraz Rakhwe Kama Razia Kanwal Huashou Li |
| author_facet | Farhan Nabi Ahmed Sarfaraz Rakhwe Kama Razia Kanwal Huashou Li |
| author_sort | Farhan Nabi |
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| description | Humic acid (HA), a major component of soil organic matter, is a naturally occurring macromolecule formed through the decomposition of plant and microbial residues. Its molecular structure comprises functional groups such as carboxyl, phenolic, hydroxyl, and carbonyl functional groups, which enable HA to interact with soil particles, nutrients, and biological systems. These interactions significantly contribute to soil fertility and overall plant productivity. Functionally, HA enhances soil health by increasing cation exchange capacity, improving water retention, and promoting the formation and stabilization of soil aggregates. In addition to its role in soil conditioning, HA is essential in mitigating plant stress. It achieves this by modulating antioxidant enzyme activity, stabilizing cellular membranes, and alleviating the adverse effects of abiotic stressors such as salinity, drought, and heavy metal toxicity. This review highlights the structural characteristics of HA, its structure-based functions, and the mechanisms involved in plant stress alleviation. Additionally, we explore how HA can be modified through physical, chemical, and biological approaches to enhance its agronomic performance. These modifications are designed to improve HA agronomic efficiency by increasing nutrient bioavailability, reducing environmental losses through minimized leaching and volatilization, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Overall, this review underscores the multifaceted roles of HA in promoting plant resilience to environmental stress, highlighting its potential as a key agent in the development of sustainable and eco-friendly crop production systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f2ec3b45918b44b78d9711a768256d1b |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-f2ec3b45918b44b78d9711a768256d1b2025-07-11T14:41:41ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-06-011413191610.3390/plants14131916Structure-Based Function of Humic Acid in Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants: A ReviewFarhan Nabi0Ahmed Sarfaraz1Rakhwe Kama2Razia Kanwal3Huashou Li4College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510643, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, ChinaCollege of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510643, ChinaDepartment of Biotechnology, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University, Quetta 87300, PakistanCollege of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510643, ChinaHumic acid (HA), a major component of soil organic matter, is a naturally occurring macromolecule formed through the decomposition of plant and microbial residues. Its molecular structure comprises functional groups such as carboxyl, phenolic, hydroxyl, and carbonyl functional groups, which enable HA to interact with soil particles, nutrients, and biological systems. These interactions significantly contribute to soil fertility and overall plant productivity. Functionally, HA enhances soil health by increasing cation exchange capacity, improving water retention, and promoting the formation and stabilization of soil aggregates. In addition to its role in soil conditioning, HA is essential in mitigating plant stress. It achieves this by modulating antioxidant enzyme activity, stabilizing cellular membranes, and alleviating the adverse effects of abiotic stressors such as salinity, drought, and heavy metal toxicity. This review highlights the structural characteristics of HA, its structure-based functions, and the mechanisms involved in plant stress alleviation. Additionally, we explore how HA can be modified through physical, chemical, and biological approaches to enhance its agronomic performance. These modifications are designed to improve HA agronomic efficiency by increasing nutrient bioavailability, reducing environmental losses through minimized leaching and volatilization, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Overall, this review underscores the multifaceted roles of HA in promoting plant resilience to environmental stress, highlighting its potential as a key agent in the development of sustainable and eco-friendly crop production systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/13/1916antioxidant activityhumic acidsoil fertility |
| spellingShingle | Farhan Nabi Ahmed Sarfaraz Rakhwe Kama Razia Kanwal Huashou Li Structure-Based Function of Humic Acid in Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants: A Review Plants antioxidant activity humic acid soil fertility |
| title | Structure-Based Function of Humic Acid in Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants: A Review |
| title_full | Structure-Based Function of Humic Acid in Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Structure-Based Function of Humic Acid in Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structure-Based Function of Humic Acid in Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants: A Review |
| title_short | Structure-Based Function of Humic Acid in Abiotic Stress Alleviation in Plants: A Review |
| title_sort | structure based function of humic acid in abiotic stress alleviation in plants a review |
| topic | antioxidant activity humic acid soil fertility |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/13/1916 |
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