Nutrition

Micronutrients

There are many nutrients a plant requires to thrive, but not all are bio-available in sufficient quantities or the necessary form.

Modern, high yielding varieties combined with a general intensification of production systems have increased demand of all nutrients while a fall in the use of animal manures and tighter rotations have reduced the bio-availability of traditional sources of nutrition. 

Soils and weather will also influence a plants ability to absorb these nutrients meaning for a plant to perform in line with expectations the grower needs to be fully aware of any potential problems that may arise from deficencies.

Nutrients fall into two classifications: macro and micro.  Some are more freely available than others depending on the soil and the farming system, but at some point a soil’s reserves of one or more nutrients needs replenishing.  De Sangosse produces a full range of the micronutrients.

Micronutrients are those elements essential for plant growth which are needed in only very small quantities. The micronutrients are Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Chloride (Cl), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo) and Zinc (Zn). 

Most – Manganese, Iron and Copper – influence growth through enabling efficient photosynthesis, but the effects of other deficiencies may not be seen until harvest. 

Shortages of these micronutrients manifests in different ways depending on the crop.  For example,  Molybdenum deficiency limits the production of the plant enzyme systems that metabolise Nitrogen.