Micronutrients are naturally occurring elements in the soil, required by all crops. Micro means extremely small and this group of nutrients are generally needed in small quantities relative to their well-known cousins, N, P and K. Each is essential and their actions are interdependent with each other as well as with the major and secondary nutrients. The naturally-occurring nutrient levels in the soil can’t always supply the needs of modern, high yield agricultural production. The testing of soil, plants and food all over the world has identified that critical deficiencies in any one of these “micro” nutrients can not only have a major impact on yield, but on the quality of the food produced and on the lives of those who eat it.

The most common micronutrients and those considered essential are zinc, boron, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, and chloride. Most recently, nickel and silicon has been recognized as contributing to plant physiology. The secondary elements sulfur, magnesium and calcium are required in larger quantities and are many times applied at the same time or incorporated into the same products as the micronutrients in order to provide for a balanced fertility approach.

The correct micronutrients, applied in the correct blend or balance, encourage healthy plant growth and result in improved crop quality and yield. Micronutrient applications can be used to correct deficiencies, enhance photosynthesis, improve plant enzyme systems, regulate flowering and improve seed formation. Micronutrients also function to regulate the conversion of nitrogen to protein and bio fortifies the crop with the nutrients essential for human growth and development.

The water solubility of a micronutrient is one measurement of its availability to plants and as a result, to plant uptake. Once in the soil, the stable elements move very little, while the soluble portions can move with soil water. Plant roots must intercept the micronutrient solution to receive its benefit. But other mechanisms are at work in the rhizosphere making elements in other forms available when the plant is deficient. Root secretions and associated soil microorganisms can solubilize elements (naturally occurring and applied) to make them available in times of need. This latent availability can be estimated by citrate solubility but isn’t generally recognized as a measurement of micronutrient availability in North America.

Cameron Micronutrients are made to meet the needs of the customer. Long growing seasons require slower availability while short season crops necessitate the application of water soluble elements. Ideally, lower analysis micronutrients and multi-element packages are selected that will allow for the application of more granules per acre than high analysis, single element products. An increased number of granules maximizes the opportunity for roots to come in contact with the micronutrient solution, promoting the highest possible benefit to crops.