MICRONUTRIENTS YOU CAN’T IGNORE
soil simply by using a fertilizer that
includes it; sometimes it can be found
as calcium chloride.
MOLYBDENUM
Molybdenum is essential when
growing legumes as it’s used in the
process of symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
It’s also useful for nitrate enzymes in
that it can be used for synthesis and
reductase. Deficiency is not usually
a problem with molybdenum, as it
is commonly found in most areas,
but there is a possibility it could be
depleted in your soil. This micronutrient should be applied before planting
to correct this problem and is available in molybdenized phosphate fertilizers. There is also a spray that can be
used on the soil rather than the leaves
to ensure the application is uniform.
You may find that some seeds are
treated with this micronutrient as part
of a sticking agent so plants typically
receive the right amount of it.
maturity of the plant along with
contributing to increasing the amounts
of calcium and phosphorus that the
plant has to work with for the growing
process. Manganese can be applied
alone or as part of an N-P-K fertilizer.
It can also be applied as a spray to
the leaves. This route will require a
lower rate than if you were applying it
directly to the soil. As manganese does
not have any residual effects, it needs
to be applied annually to your soil if
there is a deficiency.
NICKEL
Nickel helps enable the conversion of
urea in plants, as it is a vital component
of the urease enzyme. It’s also believed
to help with nitrogen fixation. As nickel
was only recently added to the list of
nutrients essential for a plant’s growth
in the latter part of the 20th century,
there are still some growers who are not
certain as to whether it should be considered essential. To have a rounded out
fertilizer for your plants, it can be helpful
to get one that includes nickel.
CHLORIDE
Chloride is a valuable plant micronutrient; it helps with photosynthesis
and helps with how plants use energy.
The chloride anion used by plants is
often from chlorine that is often salttrapped in the soil, found in salt water
aerosols or from emissions from volcanoes. Chloride can be added to your
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Maximum Yield USA | October 2016
Adding copper to the
ground can create
a residual effect
that could last up
to eight years.
To achieve maximum yields, it’s
important to not only feed your
plants the vital macronutrients but
these micronutrients, as well. For the
healthiest crop possible, consider
taking the time to test your soil for
deficiencies of these micronutrients.
You’ll probably be pleasantly
surprised at how improved your crops
look after you address any gaps you
may have in the soil.