Activation of fulvic acid-like in paper mill effluents using H 2 O 2 /TiO 2 catalytic oxidation: Characterization and salt stress bioassays.

•Catalytic oxidation (H2O2) is used to activate fulvic acid-like in paper mill effluent.•Activated fulvic acid-like features lower molecular weight and richer functional groups than un-activated fulvic acid-like.•Activated fulvic acid-like enhances rice seed germination and seedling growth under salt stress.•Activated fulvic acid-like improve salt tolerance by alleviating salt-induced oxidative damage at the cellular level.