Micronutrients

 

Crops are frequently found deficient in one or more of the micronutrients - boron,copper,manganese,iron,zinc and molbdenum.In many situations a deficiency of a certain micronutrients is the main factor for ineffective utilization of the major and secondary nutrients supplied in fertilizer and liming programs.Even though plants require small amounts of micronutrients, their deficiency can have a huge affect on crop production as the major elements.

 

Importance of micronutrients:

 

- higher fertilizer rates and yields means higher removal of micronutrients.

- some micronutrients are not present in fetilizer

- improved crop varieties are capable of producing higher yields per acre and remove more  

 

micro's from the soil

- land forming or land levelling with the removal of several inches of topsoil many times results in a deficiency of certain micronutrients on the cut areas.

- high phosphate levels have been found to induce micronutrient deficiencies.

 

Deficiency Symptoms:

 

- symptoms are the visual signs that occur when a plant is experiencing a shortage of one or more of the nutrients!

- these signs vary according to crop and the element which is lacking. eg. iron deficiency normally manifests it self through a chlorosis or yellowing of a part of a leaf.

- symptoms appear only after the crop has already suffered some loss in yield potential.

 

Hidden Hunger:

 

- is a term used to describe a lack of a nutrient which will affect the final yield.

- it occurs when the nutrient supply falls below the critical level and becomes increasingly worse until finally, the deficiency appears.

- it is important to monitor the supply of micro's through soil and plant analysis to reduce "hidden hunger".

 

Importance of Applying Micronutrients Early:

 

- a high percent of the micronutrient requirements are taken up during the first ONE THIRD of the growing period!

- it is important to apply these micronutrients before or at planting to get MAXIMUM UTILIZATION.

- if they are applied later, the crop may experience hidden hunger and yield and quality will be affected.

 

Conditions Conducive to Deficiency:

 

- removal of large amounts by high yielding crops.

- leaching from sandy soils.

- high ph soils.

- over limed soils resulting in a high ph.

- land levelling.

- additions of high rates of phosphorus.

- soil compaction.

- cool, wet growing conditions.

- tie-up by the soil.

- use of sensitive crop varieties.

 

For further information on micronutrients contact Rich Koscik at 519-762-2836 Dutton Branch