MICRONUTRIENTS PRESENT IN OUR BEST FOLIAR FERTILISER AND THEIR ROLE IN PLANT HEALTH.

Copper Sulphate EDTA, Iron Sulphate EDTA, Zinc Sulphate EDTA, Boron, Manganese Sulphate EDTA and Molybdenum.

Copper is necessary for Carbohydrate and Nitrogen metabolism – inadequate copper results in stunting of plants. Copper is also required for lignin synthesis, which is needed for cell wall strength and prevention of wilting. Deficiency symptoms of copper are dieback of stems and twigs, yellowing of leaves, stunted growth and pale green leaves that wither easier.

Zinc is an essential component of various enzyme systems for energy production, protein synthesis, and growth regulation. Zinc deficient plants also exhibit delayed maturity. Zinc is not mobile in plants, so Zinc deficiency symptoms occur mainly in new growth. Poor mobility in plants suggests the need for a constant supply of available Zinc for optimum growth. The most visible Zinc deficiency symptoms are shot internodes and a decrease in leaf size.

Manganese is necessary in photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism and to form other compounds required for plant metabolism. Interveinal chlorosis is a characteristic of manganese deficiency.  In very severe manganese deficient cases, brown necrotic spots appear on leaves, resulting in premature leaf drop. Delayed maturity is another symptom of deficiency in some species and white/grey spots on leaves of some cereal crops is also a sign.

Iron is involved in the production of chlorophyll and iron chlorosis is easily recognised on iron sensitive crops growing on calcareous soils. Iron also is a component of many enzymes associated with energy transfer, nitrogen reduction and fixation, and lignin formation. Iron is associated with sulphur in plants to form compounds that catalyse other reactions. Iron deficiencies are mainly manifested by yellow leaves due to low levels of chlorophyll. Leaf yellowing ¬first appears on the younger upper leaves in interveinal tissues. Severe iron deficiencies cause leaves to turn completely yellow or almost white, and then brown as leaves die. Iron deficiencies are found mainly on high pH soils, although some acid, sandy soils low in organic matter also may be iron deficient. Cool, wet weather enhances deficiencies, especially on soils with marginal levels of iron available. Poorly aerated or hard pan soils also reduce iron uptake by plants. Uptake of iron decreases with increased soil pH and is adversely affected by high levels of available phosphorous, manganese, and zinc soils.

Boron’s primary function is related to cell wall formation, so boron deficient plants may be stunted.  Sugar transport in plants, flower retention and pollen formation and germination also are affected by boron. Seed and grain production are reduced with low boron supply.  Boron deficiency symptoms first appear at the growing points resulting in a stunted appearance (rosetting), barren ears due to poor pollination, hollow stems, and fruit (hollow heart) and brittle, discoloured leaves, and loss of fruiting bodies. Boron deficiencies are found mainly in acidic, sandy soils in regions of high rainfall, and those with low soil organic matter. Borate ions are mobile in soil and can be leached from the root zone. Boron deficiencies are more pronounced during drought periods when root activity is restricted.

Molybdenum is important in plant growth as it helps in the nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur cycles.