Crops require 16 essential elements to grow properly. Three elements — carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (0) — are derived from air and water and comprise 94.0% to 99.5 % of fresh plant tissue. The remaining 13 nutrients, which come from the soil in the form of inorganic salts, make up the balance of the tissue. Legumes are an exception because they can also fix nitrogen from the air.
The macronutrients obtained from the soil include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulphur (S). The remaining essential elements needed by plants are known as micronutrients because plants use them in relatively small amounts. They include: boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and chlorine (Cl).
It’s important to note that the term micronutrient refers to the relative quantity of a nutrient that is required for plant growth. It does not mean that they are less important to plants than other nutrients. In this newsletter, I’m highlighting 4 elements that are particularly important to helping the plant overcome a wide range of environmental stresses and diseases. In a year that has already seen wide weather fluctuations, these elements gain even greater importance. We’re learning that small deficiencies in micronutrients can have a large impact on plant health.
Calcium and magnesium are among the most abundant cations on the exchange complex in most soils and play critical roles in counteracting soil and water acidification. Calcium use by plants is behind only nitrogen and potassium. Calcium is intimately involved with cell elongation and division, membrane permeability, and the activation of several critical enzymes.
About one-fifth of the magnesium in plant tissue is incorporated as the central component of the chlorophyll molecule and so is intimately involved with photosynthesis in plants. Magnesium also plays a critical role in the synthesis of oils and proteins and in the activation of enzymes involved in energy metabolism.
Zinc is an important component of various enzymes that are responsible for driving many metabolic reactions in all crops. Growth and development would stop if certain of these enzymes were not present in plant tissue. Carbohydrate, protein, and chlorophyll formation also are significantly reduced in zinc-deficient plants. Therefore, a constant and continuous supply of zinc is needed for optimum growth and maximum yield.
Silicon is the second most abundant element in soils, with the exception of some histosols and oxisols. Although silicon is not considered a universally essential nutrient, most plants take up large amounts and use it in ways that enhance their growth and ability to cope with environmental stress and disease. Many examples of positive crop responses to silicon fertilization have been documented. The stronger silica-reinforced cells also resist physical damage and insect feeding and may allow roots to better penetrate compacted soils.
Andaman Ag sells a new line of products from NutriAg called Enviro. We offer organic listed boron, calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. We also sell Microstim, a dry formula composed of Mg, B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn. Other related products include Pacific Gro (2-1-.0.3), a cold-processed fish hydrolysate with a natural form of calcium from crab and shrimp shells, and Sea-Crop, a product containing 89 elements plus many compound minerals, that feeds and accelerates soil biology. We carry an innovative silicon product from NuVia Technologies that is confirming for more and more growers the benefits of silica applications.
We understand that every grower has unique field and crop issues. As a result, Andaman Ag has a variety of options available to maximize soil and plant health. Please feel free to call me to discuss what crop programs are right for you.