6 Key Considerations for utilizing Trace Element Fertilizer

3 Factors affecting the effectiveness of utilizing trace element fertilizer

Soil PH:

• The acid-base conditions of the soil directly affect the solubility and availability of trace element fertilizer’s utilization. Under acidic conditions, the solubility of iron, manganese, zinc, copper, etc. is greater and increases as the soil pH decreases. Therefore, their availability increases with the decrease of soil pH. If the content is increased, under strong acid conditions, the high content may be toxic to some crops.
• When the soil pH increases, the above-mentioned trace elements will gradually be converted into hydroxides or oxides, with reduced solubility and less effectiveness to plants. The availability of boron, molybdenum, etc. is also closely related to the pH value of the soil.
• Boron exists in the soil solution in the form of H3BO3 under acidic conditions, but is fixed under alkaline conditions and the effectiveness is reduced; the opposite is true for molybdenum and boron. Precipitation occurs under acidic conditions and effectiveness is reduced.

Redox conditions of soil:

• The redox conditions of soil have a greater impact on the availability of trace elements iron and manganese. Under reducing conditions, the content of available iron and manganese increases and their effectiveness increases as well as the effect of the trace element fertilizer.

“Immobilization” effect

• Cationic trace elements are adsorbed and fixed by clay particles and may enter the interior of the crystal lattice and lose effectiveness. When a large amount of phosphate fertilizer is applied, zinc, iron, manganese, etc. in the soil interact with phosphate roots to form various phosphate precipitations and are fixed. In addition, organic complexation can cause trace elements to lose their effectiveness; improper agricultural practices can cause “induced deficiencies” and so on. In short, the primary factor affecting the availability of trace elements is soil pH.

5 Things to note when applying trace element fertilizers

• Due to the particularity of trace element fertilizer application, if applied improperly, it will not only fail to increase production, but may even cause serious damage to crops. In order to improve fertilizer efficiency and reduce harm, the following matters should be paid attention to when applying:

Control the concentration of trace element fertilizer & apply it evenly:

• Crops require a small amount of trace elements, and the concentration range of many trace elements from lack to appropriate amounts is very narrow. Therefore, when applying trace element fertilizers, the dosage must be strictly controlled to prevent the concentration from being too high. Application must be Pay attention to evenness. Trace element fertilizers can also be mixed into organic fertilizers for application.

Application based on the status of trace elements in the soil:

• Different soil types and soil textures have different effectiveness and content of trace elements, and the effects of applying trace element fertilizers are different. Generally speaking, in calcareous soils in the north, the availability of iron, zinc, manganese, and boron in the soil is low, and deficiencies are prone to occur. The acidic soil in the south has low molybdenum availability, so when applying micro-fertilizers, it should be applied reasonably according to the status of trace elements in the soil.

Pay attention to the response of various crops to trace elements and select the proper application:

• Various crops have different reactions to different trace elements, with different sensitivities and different requirements, and the application effects are obviously different. For example, fruit trees cultivated in the north are sensitive to iron, zinc, and boron. Zinc fertilizers are more effective on corn. Rapeseed and cotton are sensitive to boron. Gramineae crops are sensitive to manganese. Leguminous crops are sensitive to molybdenum and boron. Therefore, different crops should be treated with Reasonable selection and application of different trace elements according to their sensitivity and fertilizer efficiency.

Pay attention to improving the soil environment:

• Insufficient supply of soil trace elements is often due to the influence of soil environmental conditions. The acidity and alkalinity of the soil is the primary factor that affects the availability of trace elements. Other factors include soil texture, soil moisture, soil redox status and other factors. In order to completely solve the problem of trace element deficiency, while supplementing trace element nutrients, attention should be paid to improving soil environmental conditions, such as applying organic fertilizers to acidic soil or applying appropriate amounts of lime to adjust soil acidity and alkalinity and improve soil trace element nutritional status.

Pay attention to the application in conjunction with macro-element fertilizers and organic fertilizers:

Only when the needs of crops for macro elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are met, trace-element fertilizers can show obvious yield-increasing effects. Organic fertilizers contain a variety of trace elements. As an important nutrient supply source for maintaining soil trace element fertility, organic fertilizers cannot be ignored.

Conclusion: 5 things to notice to improce utilization of trace element fertilizer

In conclusion, the effective application of trace element fertilizers requires a comprehensive understanding of various factors, including soil characteristics, crop requirements, and application methods. By carefully considering these key factors, farmers and agricultural professionals can optimize the use of trace element fertilizers to enhance crop yield, quality, and resilience while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, ongoing research and innovation in this field are essential for continually improving practices and ensuring sustainable agricultural production for future generations. Through informed decision-making and implementation, the integration of trace element fertilizers can play a crucial role in promoting agricultural sustainability and global food security.