What are Agricultural Micronutrients?

Micronutrients are mineral elements needed by plants and animals in tiny amounts, compared to the amounts of macronutrients needed. These essential plant micronutrients include boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). Micronutrient deficiency is common in many regions of the world due to the low levels of these nutrients in soils or their unavailability to plants. 

Boron deficiency

Boron plays an important role in cell activity, carbohydrate translocation, seed and fruit development. Plants commonly deficient in boron include vegetables, fruits, cereals, pulses, oilseeds and cotton. Boron deficiency symptoms include stunted Agricultural Micronutrients, malformed leaves, poor root development, cracking of stems and hollow fruits and bolls. Application of boron fertilizers helps increase yields and quality of many crops.

Copper deficiency

Copper is essential for photosynthesis and respiration and activates several enzymes. Deficiency of copper causes reduced growth in crop plants. Leaf symptoms include yellowing between veins, bleached appearance and twisted leaves. Crops commonly deficient in copper are grapes, citrus, vegetables, pulses and oilseeds. Copper fertilizers applied to soil help alleviate deficiency symptoms.

Iron deficiency

Iron is required in chlorophyll formation and photosynthesis. Iron deficiency results in interveinal chlorosis in young leaves. Crops prone to iron deficiency are cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, rice, pearlmillet, sorghum and maize grown on alkaline and calcareous soils. Timely application of iron chelates helps restore green color to leaves.

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