The main role and function of trace element fertilizer (what are trace element fertilizers)

What is trace element fertilizer?

Trace element fertilizer refers to fertilizer containing trace elements such as zinc, boron, molybdenum, manganese, iron, copper and other nutrients.

These trace nutrients are essential for plant growth and development. They are called trace elements simply because crops require very small amounts of these elements.

What are the functions of trace element fertilizers

① Effects of trace elements

Most trace elements in crops are components and activators of enzymes and coenzymes, and play an important role in promoting and regulating the synthesis of chlorophyll and protein, photosynthesis or metabolic processes, as well as the absorption and utilization of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium .

②The role of zinc

Zinc is involved in the synthesis and transformation of hormones and carbohydrates in plants, and is sometimes a component of multiple enzymes. Zinc fertilizer can increase crop seed yield and grain quality, change the seed-to-straw ratio, and enhance crop resistance.

③ Effect of Boron Fertilizer

Boron is involved in the conversion and transport of carbohydrates in plants, regulating water absorption and nutrient balance as well as oxidation-reduction processes, and is required for flowering, fruiting and production point growth.

When there is sufficient boron fertilizer, the crops will have deep roots and lush leaves, which can improve the energy supply to various organs of the crops and increase the fruit setting rate and fruit setting rate.

④ Effect of molybdenum fertilizer

Molybdenum fertilizer is one of the indispensable trace elements for plants, and its physiological function is mainly in the metabolism of nitrogen. Molybdenum is a component of nitrogenase.

Molybdenum must be involved for nitrogenase to have nitrogen-fixing activity. Molybdenum is essential for nitrogen fixation in root nodules that are symbiotic with leguminous crops, so leguminous crops are sensitive to the molybdenum price ratio.

Molybdenum fertilizer is beneficial to the formation and transformation of sugars, can increase the content and stability of chlorophyll, can promote early maturity, and enhance disease resistance, cold resistance, and drought resistance.

⑤ Effect of manganese

Manganese is an indispensable trace element for the normal growth of plants. It has many functions in plants and is related to the activity of many enzymes. Manganese exists in nucleic acid metabolic enzymes and promotes the synthesis of amino acids and proteins.

Manganese can also regulate the oxidation-reduction reaction in crops, participate in the photosynthesis and nitrogen transformation of crops, increase the chlorophyll content, promote the circulation of carbohydrates, the accumulation of nutrients and the synthesis of vitamins.

In addition , there are trace elements such as iron and copper, which play their respective roles in the growth process of crops. They are equally important as macroelements and are irreplaceable to each other .

If crops do not grow well and do not produce high yields, we cannot simply attribute it to a lack of trace elements. We should make judgments based on many aspects such as the growth of crops and the condition of the soil.

Crops need very little trace element fertilizer, and a slight lack or excess may cause serious damage to the crops. We should learn how to judge whether crops are lacking in trace elements:

1. Plant appearance diagnosis

When identifying trace element deficiency, first look at the location where the symptoms appear. Except for zinc, general trace element deficiencies first show symptoms in new tissues; secondly, look at the size and shape of the leaves; thirdly, pay attention to the location of the leaves that are losing green.

2. Foliar spray diagnosis

When the plant appearance diagnosis method cannot determine which trace element is lacking, root spraying can be used in conjunction with diagnosis.

Prepare a solution containing a certain trace element of a certain concentration, spray or apply it on the diseased leaves, or soak the diseased leaves in the trace element solution for 1 to 2 hours.

One week later, observe the changes in leaf color, growth, and appearance of the crops before and after fertilization. If the diseased leaves recover or the growth rate of new leaves is significantly accelerated, and the leaf color is normal, it can be confirmed that the crop disease is caused by a lack of a certain trace element.