Through increased use of soil testing and plant analyses, micronutrient deficiencies have been verified in many soils. Some reasons limiting the incidental additions of micronutrients include:
These factors contribute to the significant increase in usage of and need for micronutrients in order to achieve full balanced nutrition.
Micronutrients are as important as macronutrients, but the amount required is very small. Read how the gap between macronutrients and micronutrients is smaller than you think.
BORON
Boron (B) exists primarily in soil solutions as the BO₃⁻³ anion – the form commonly taken up by plants. One of the most important micronutrients affecting membrane stability, B supports the structural and functional integrity of plant cell membranes. Boron-deficiency symptoms first appear at the growing points, and certain soil types are more prone to boron deficiencies.
Image: Boron deficiency in corn. Read more about boron.
Source: IPNI
COPPER
Copper (Cu) activates enzymes and catalyzes reactions in several plant-growth processes. The presence of copper is closely linked to Vitamin A production, and it helps ensure successful protein synthesis.
Image: Copper deficiency in wheat. Read more about copper.
Source: IPNI
IRON
Iron (Fe) is essential for crop growth and food production. Plants take up Fe as the ferrous (Fe²⁺) cation. Iron is a component of many enzymes associated with energy transfer, nitrogen reduction and fixation, and lignin formation.
Image: Iron deficiency in wheat. Read more about iron.
Source: IPNI
MANGANESE
Manganese (Mn) functions primarily as part of enzyme systems in plants. It activates several important metabolic reactions and plays a direct role in photosynthesis. Manganese accelerates germination and maturity while increasing the availability of phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca).
Image: Manganese deficiency in soybeans. Read more about manganese.
Source: IPNI
MOLYBDENUM
Molybdenum (Mo) is a trace element found in the soil, and is required for the synthesis and activity of the enzyme nitrate reductase. Molybdenum is vital for the process of symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation by Rhizobia bacteria in legume root modules. Considering molybdenum’s importance in optimizing plant growth, it’s fortunate that Mo deficiencies are relatively rare in most agricultural cropping areas.
Image: Molybdenum deficiency in wheat. Read more about molybdenum.
Source: IPNI
ZINC
Zinc (Zn) is taken up by plants as the divalent Zn⁺² cation. It was one of the first micronutrients recognized as essential for plants and the one most commonly limiting yields. Although Zn is required only in small amounts, high yields are impossible without it.
Image: Zinc deficiency in soybeans. Read more about zinc.
Source: IPNI
CHLORINE
Plants take up chlorine (Cl) as the chloride (Cl-) anion. It’s active in energy reactions in the plant. Most Cl- in soils comes from salt trapped in parent materials, marine aerosols and volcanic emissions. Classified as a micronutrient, Cl- is required by all plants in small quantities.
Image: Chloride deficiency in wheat. Read more about chloride.
NICKEL
Nickel (Ni) was added to the list of essential plant nutrients late in the 20th century. Nickel is important in plant N metabolism because it is a component of the urease enzyme. Without the presence of Ni, urea conversion is impossible. It is required in very small amounts, with the critical level appearing to be about 1.1 ppm.
Image: Nickel deficiency in pecans. Read more about nickel.
Source: IPNI
CROP RESPONSE TO MICRONUTRIENTS
Plants differ in their requirements for certain micronutrients. The table “Relative Responsiveness of Selected Crops to Micronutrients” shows the estimate of the relative response of selected crops to micronutrients. The ratings of low, medium and high are used to indicate the relative degree of responsiveness.
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