For a grower to be economically viable, a crop must be pushed beyond what it can do in
nature. The grower must deliver the irrigation and fertility to reach the yields and quality demanded of the market place. However, when entering this realm of unnaturally enhanced growth, certain mineral imbalances develop. One of the most dramatic is the imbalance between nitrogen and calcium, an issue we wrote about recently.
But another common problem is an imbalance between nitrogen versus zinc, nitrogen versus manganese, and nitrogen versus iron.
Why Plants Often Struggle to Absorb Sufficient Quantities of Zinc, Manganese and Iron
Soils in the Western United States are characteristically alkaline, meaning they have a pH greater than 7.0. These are conditions under which many of the essential mineral for plant growth can be tenaciously locked in the soil, unavailable for plant use.
But even when applied as foliar sprays, plant tissues often fail to absorb sufficient quantities. This is in large part because plant tissue surfaces have a negative (-) charge, while atoms of zinc, manganese, and iron are often positively charged. As a result, these minerals tend to bind with the surface of plant tissues, rather than being absorbed. While small amounts may find their way into the plant cells, absorption is minimal.
Another problem is that when applied to the soil, these minerals commonly form insoluble precipitates with phosphates, calcium phosphates, magnesium phosphates and various carbonates. The solubility and consequent plant availability of these forms is also minimal.
Why Zinc, Manganese and Iron are Critical to Plant Health
While only small amounts of these minerals are required by plants, they are essential to growth and development. Deficiencies and imbalances of these micronutrients directly affect a grower’s yield. The following is a brief summary of the most common form of a mineral accepted, the symptoms of deficiency, and the roles played by zinc, manganese and iron:
Zinc
Form Accepted: ZN (++)
Common Deficiency Symptoms:
- Little Leaf
- Interveinal Chlorosis
- Shortened Internodes
- Witch’s Broom
Common Roles:
- Catalyst in formation of plant auxin, IAA
- Activator of several enzymes
- Protein and amino acid synthesis
- Involved in transfer of energy-rich phosphorus
- Increases in cold tolerance
Manganese
Form Accepted: Mn (++)
Common Deficiency Symptoms:
- Tiger Stripe Chlorsosis
- Marginal Chlorosis
- Small Fruit Size
- Premature Leaf Drop
Common Roles:
- Nitrogen metabolism
- Splitting of H2) in photosynthesis
- Activator of several enzymes
- Involved in energy transfer
- Root cell elongation
Iron
Form Accepted: Fe (++)
Common Deficiency Symptoms:
- Interveinal Chlorosis
- Marginal Necrosis
- Premature Leaf Drop
- Reduced Shoot Growth
Common Roles:
- Synthesis of chlorophyll
- Various oxidation reduction reactions
- Forms part of several proteins and enzymes
- Involved in various respiratory reactions
How to Resolve the Mineral Tie-Up on Plant Surfaces and in the Soil
Fusion 360’s scientists have developed Integrity Z-422, which utilizes a patented process to give a neutral charge to zinc, manganese, and iron atoms. In this state, the opportunity for both foliar and root absorption are greatly enhanced.
When applied independently of one another, these nutrients are often imbalanced and begin to compete for root absorption—essentially crowding one another out. But Integrity Z-422 incorporates them into a single, balanced product, in a ratio that coincides with the relative demand for each, given the nature of our Western soils.
If you suspect your crops are experiencing a mineral deficiency, laboratory testing is recommended. Once completed, a remedial program can be put in place to protect your crops’ vigor and yields for years to come. Contact Fusion 360 to learn more.
