What are the essential micronutrients plants require?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Micronutrients for plants function similarly to precision tools in a large-scale factory. Macros build bulk structures and macronutrients should dominate nutrient plans, while micronutrients like boron help ensure that pollen tubes grow correctly in squash blossoms. If plants are missing a single micronutrient, you can virtually halt that entire process, and if roots are stunted or stems are cracked, you can begin to understand hidden hunger.
Boron (B)
- Strengthens cell walls in apples and broccoli
- Deficiency: Hollow stems in cauliflower
- Apply 2-4 lb/acre borax pre-planting
Zinc (Zn)
- Activates enzymes in corn and beans
- Deficiency: Whitish stripes on maize leaves
- Spray 0.5% zinc sulfate at flowering
Soil pH affects the availability of micronutrients more than the total content. Iron dissolves readily in soil solutions at pH < 6.0 but is absent at pH > 7.0. I have restored azaleas by lowering pH by adding sulfur, and after a few weeks, their yellow leaves became green again! TEST it first! Guessing is expensive, and you cannot harvest this "guesswork."
When crops experience a mid-year emergency, foliar sprays can save them. For example, a 0.1% iron chelate solution can eliminate soybean chlorosis symptoms in only 72 hours. However, soil amendments provide more persistent effects, for example, banded zinc sulfate can provide lasting protection for the corn plant for the rest of the growing season. Match interventions to urgency in addition to crop growth stage.
Read the full article: 7 Essential Micronutrients for Plants: Complete Guide
