Micronutrients Fertilizers – Essential for Optimal Plant Growth
Introduction to Micronutrients
Micronutrients are plant nutrients that are needed in very small or trace amounts. The main micronutrients that plants require are boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn).
Micronutrients Fertilizers play a vital role in various plant metabolic functions such as photosynthesis, enzyme activity, protein synthesis, and energy production. Lack of even one essential micronutrient can inhibit plant growth and reduce crop yields.
Micronutrients Fertilizer Role of Boron in Plants
Boron is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins in plants. It plays a key role in the transport of sugar, vitamins and hormones inside the plant. Boron deficiency causes malformation and cracking of stems, leaves and fruit of plants. Crops that are most susceptible to boron deficiency include cruciferous vegetables, cucurbits, onions, soybeans and cotton. Boron fertilizers help overcome deficiency and maximize crop productivity.
Importance of Copper for Plants
Copper is a cofactor for several plant enzyme systems involved in photosynthesis and respiratory electron transport chain. It also helps in the synthesis of proteins, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Symptoms of copper deficiency include stunted growth, wilting, chlorosis and dieback of shoots. Copper fertilizers are applied to soils deficient in copper to prevent deficiency disorders in important crops like tomatoes, beans, potatoes and citrus fruits.
Role of Iron in Chlorophyll Formation
Iron plays a crucial role in chlorophyll formation and photosynthesis in green plants. It is a component of iron-containing enzymes like cytochromes which are essential for electron transport in both photosynthesis and respiration. Iron deficiency leads to interveinal chlorosis in young leaves and stunted plant growth. The deficiency is commonly seen in calcareous and alkaline soils. Iron fertilizers provide a ready supply of plant-available iron and correct iron deficiency chlorosis.
Micronutrients Fertilizers: Function of Manganese in Photosynthesis
Manganese aids in the production of chlorophyll and activation of several enzymes involved in photosynthesis and respiration. It is required for carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism in plants. Symptoms of manganese deficiency include yellowing between leaf veins and stunted growth. Manganese deficiency is generally seen in alkaline, calcareous and organic soils. Manganese fertilizers supply manganese to plants growing in these deficient soils.
Molybdenum’s Role in Nitrogen Metabolism
Molybdenum plays a major role as a component of nitrogen-fixing enzyme called nitrogenase. It is essential for the conversion of nitrate to ammonium and various oxidation-reduction reactions in the plant. Molybdenum deficiency causes stunted growth, rosetting, necrosis and browning of leaf tips. Oilseed crops like canola are highly sensitive to low molybdenum levels in soils. Molybdenum fertilizers help boost yields of these crops in molybdenum deficient soils.
Importance of Zinc for Plant Growth
Zinc has many metabolic and catalytic functions in plants including protein synthesis, auxin metabolism, enzyme activation and carbohydrate metabolism. It enhances seed germination and root elongation in plants. Zinc deficiency appears as small leaves, stunted growth and dieback at the shoot tips. Major field crops like maize, rice, wheat and soybean are susceptible to zinc deficiency in calcareous and alkaline soils. Zinc fertilizers applied appropriately prevent zinc deficiency in these crops.
Micronutrients Fertilizers – Benefits
Micronutrient fertilizers play a crucial role in ensuring optimal plant growth and realizing high yields. They maintain micronutrient nutritional balance in crops by correcting any soil deficiencies. Micronutrients also improve crop quality by enhancing protein and nutrient content. Micronutrient fertilization boosts the resistance of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses caused by diseases, insects and drought. Precision application of customized micronutrient fertilizers syncs perfectly with sustainable agriculture goals of productivity and environmental protection. Micronutrient fertilizers are essential tools for thriving crop production systems worldwide.
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1.Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2.We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
