March 2009
Those involved in growing commercial crops are very familiar with the primary macro-nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and would not expect to harvest a profitable crop without assuring proper levels of these nutrients. The need for these three nutrients are long established and well known and always considered in a crop plan. They are commonly part of most any fertilizer program because they are used in the largest amounts of the mineral nutrients by our crops, but what about the other elements. Plants depend on water, carbon dioxide, sunlight and thirteen essential nutrients that are commonly divided into three groups, macro-nutrients, secondary nutrients and micro-nutrients. These names reflect the amount of the nutrient the plant requires, not the importance of the nutrient to the plant. Micronutrients are those elements essential for plant growth which are needed in only very small quantities. The micro-nutrients are boron, copper, iron, chloride, manganese, molybdenum and zinc. Though secondary and micro-nutrients are used by plants in smaller amounts than macro-nutrients they are just as critical and in any production focused crop program can often be the limiting factor for the desired crop yields and profitability.
When the level of secondary and micro-nutrients are the limiting factor this can directly reduce production and also reduce the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the primary macro nutrients that are in the soil and a part of your fertilizer program. Assuring the availability of micro-nutrients to the plants brings greater efficiency and economic return from your fertilizer investment. Plant growth and production is limited at the lowest level of whatever nutrient the plant is in need of, regardless of whether it is needed in large or small amounts. All of the essential nutrients are critical to all plants and even if just one is deficient, it affects the health, quality and yield of all crops.
There is now an increased level of knowledge about the practical importance of assuring availability of micro-nutrients to the plant and the plant functions they influence.
A complete soil test is a great place to start to determine the soil fertility needs of your fields. Plant tissue samples can also be very helpful to understand micro-nutrient requirements. Your local IFA Crop Advisor has access to multiple options to be able to fit your conditions and supply the needed nutrients to maximize your opportunity in raising healthy, high yielding crops.
