There’s a secret to robust plant health that farmers and ranchers can’t ignore – the power of micronutrients.
Although needed in small amounts, micronutrients play a pivotal role in the overall growth, reproduction, and general well-being of your crops.
Understanding the relationships between macro and micronutrients, and their synergies, is akin to decoding the enigma of extraordinary plant growth. The benefits of healthy plants go beyond yield to include more effective pest management, stronger immune systems, and higher nutrient profiles in your harvest.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), we need to “…shift our thinking from the concept of food security to the concept of nutrition security.” (1) That means getting enough micronutrients into our food crops.
Micronutrient deficiencies in our crops translate into deficiencies in our livestock, and ultimately anyone who consumes our farm or ranch production. Macronutrients are critical for crop yield, but micronutrients are equally essential for high-nutrient profile production. The nutritional potential of both plant products and animal products is tied to the quality and quantity of micronutrients that make it into your crops.
Here are some of the necessary micronutrients and the synergies with macronutrients.
Overview of Micronutrients
Delving into the heart of the matter, micronutrients encompass elements such as iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and chlorine. Each has a unique and indispensable role in plant growth. Consider them as the spark plugs of a car, tiny but vital components that ensure smooth operation.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the crucial power that micronutrients wield over the health of our crops. Iron aids in the synthesis of chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for photosynthesis. Molybdenum, on the other hand, assists nitrogen fixation which is critical for the plant’s nutritional content.
Micronutrients are responsible for plant abiotic stress tolerance. As the world gets hotter, drier, or more extreme, the antioxidant role of micronutrients is critical. To maintain a sustainable crop yield zinc, manganese, iron, and boron could mitigate oxidative stress The CO2 atmospheric levels are rising and there is now data that shows how that affects micronutrients in plants.
There’s no understating it: micronutrients are linchpins in the perfect ecosystem of plant growth. But of course, any discussion would be incomplete without considering the judicious balance of these micronutrients. Any excess or deficiency disrupts the growth and health symmetry. The challenge, then, lies in providing the right amount and balance of micronutrients to ensure every plant is at its robust best.
Essential Micronutrients for Plant Health
First, let’s highlight the essential micronutrients, or trace elements, that underpin plant health. As an informed producer, you want to know the interrelationships between macronutrients such as nitrogen, and micronutrients, such as iron. The interrelationships of macro and micro are often overlooked. Both are necessary but needed in radically different amounts, for the plant life cycle and growth. Each micronutrient carries out a ‘behind-the-scenes’ job that impacts the overall well-being of the plant.
Iron (Fe): Iron is at the forefront of chlorophyll synthesis. An iron deficiency may be mirrored by yellowing leaves on your plants.
Manganese (Mn): Manganese works hand-in-hand with enzymes to catalyze biochemical reactions, with an absence often manifesting as a distinct greyish-white blotchiness across mature leaves.
Boron (B): Boron ensures the healthy integrity of cell walls and membranes. Thinning, curling, or wilting leaves can be an SOS for more Boron.
Zinc (Zn): Zinc plays a crucial role in gene expression and enzymatic reactions. Zinc deficiency may appear in a plant as stunted growth accompanied by yellow leaves.
Copper (Cu): Copper helps with respiration and photosynthesis. Insufficient copper might result in dark green leaves and delayed maturation.
Molybdenum (Mo): Molybdenum aids in converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. Deficiency might lead to poor growth due to inadequate nitrogen.
Chlorine (Cl): Chlorine assists in osmosis and ionic adjustments. Inadequate chlorine can lead to stunted growth.
For a more in-depth explanation of micronutrients check out this blog.
The magic of micronutrients lies not just in their individual roles but in their synergies with other nutrients and how they contribute to the overall health of the plant. Compared with macronutrients, there is a general lack of concern about micronutrients with respect to yield sustainability and nutritional quality of crops. Understanding the interrelationships, or synergies, between all nutrients, the soil, and plants is necessary for optimum function. Soil is complex. The plants that both feed and are nourished from the soil are just as complex. The needed nutrients, both micro and macro, must come from a balanced soil nutritional profile or be balanced with inputs from you.
Armed with this insight you are well on your way to bringing out the best in your crops. In the next blog we will look at these relationships and how to maintain the right balance in your soil for optimum plant growth.
