Types of micronutrient fertilizers: in chelated form, characteristics and description

Micronutrient fertilizer is a complex rich in micronutrients that can improve plant health, ridding it of diseases and parasites, and promoting growth. Every crop needs fertilizer, even if it's not immediately obvious. To grow a plant, you first need to understand what it needs and what kind of soil it thrives in.

Before planting seeds, the soil often requires certain micronutrients. Whether it's iron, zinc, or copper, poorly nourished soil won't produce the expected harvest without supplementation. Micronutrient fertilizers can come to the rescue. There are plenty of them on the market, but the key is to determine what exactly your plant and soil are lacking when choosing.

Composition and properties of microfertilizers

Micronutrient fertilizers are used when the soil needs to be enriched with a wide range of elements. Monomicronutrient fertilizers are useful when a specific element is needed.

Let's look at what the composition of a good complex micronutrient fertilizer should be:

• microelements in chelated form: copper, manganese, zinc;
• chelate of sulfur, boron, molybdenum, B vitamins;
• acids and amino acids of organic origin, which help to balance and improve the effect of the above-mentioned microelements;
• other active substances that help the fertilizer stay on the plant as long as possible.

As for the composition of monomicrofertilizers, they contain the main element, which is deficient, and auxiliary substances. These help the main component be absorbed.

How to choose the right micronutrients?

To ensure that fertilizing your crops and soil is beneficial, you need to choose the right fertilizer:

• Before choosing a micronutrient fertilizer, you should determine the condition of the soil and identify any deficiencies of specific elements in the soil;
• It is worth paying attention to the plant itself; if it needs help from fertilizer, this will be visible to the naked eye;
• Liquid fertilizers are easier to use;
• A good quality complex fertilizer contains at least five microelements.

Chelated micronutrients are considered the most effective fertilizers. They are biologically active substances, highly stable in the environment, and highly soluble.

Please note: Chelated micronutrient fertilizers are less toxic!

Let's consider several types of chelated micronutrient fertilizers:

• ADOB Cu, ADOB Zn, ADOB Mn – these fertilizers are produced in Poland. Adobe is available as a single fertilizer and as a micronutrient complex.
• Seibit is a liquid fertilizer and is classified as a polymer film former.

Instructions for use

These products must be used strictly as directed. The packaging indicates the possible methods of application: soil fertilization, seed nutrition before planting, or direct foliar spraying.

Fertilizers are available in several types:

• powder;
• pills;
• liquid.

Copper micronutrient fertilizers

Copper micronutrient fertilizers are most often used on soils located near swamps. Without copper, it's difficult to achieve a good harvest in such areas. Growing grain crops in swampy areas is completely impossible. Copper fertilizers are produced from industrial waste and are divided into several types:

1. Copper sulfate is produced as dark blue salt crystals. They are used primarily before sowing and as foliar fertilizer. The crystals dissolve readily in water, but they are often used in their pure form. A single application of copper sulfate, also known as copper sulfate, lasts for five years. One gram is used per square meter.
2. Pyrite – this type of fertilizer resembles ash in appearance. It is a dark, finely ground powder that contains copper. Pyrite is also known as pyrite cinders.

Boron micronutrient fertilizers

Boron fertilizers are used throughout the entire growing season. These fertilizers are also divided into several groups:

1. Borax and boric acid contain 37% acid and 11% boron. Seeds are soaked in a solution of these substances before planting. This boron fertilizer can also be used as a top dressing when the first leaves are just beginning to bloom. Use no more than 4 g of the product per 100 square meters.
2. Boron superphosphate contains up to 0.4% boron. This fertilizer is used as a pre-planting fertilizer. It should be dug in along with the soil. Boron superphosphate is excellent for feeding potatoes.
3. Ammonium nitrate with boron is used for virtually all plant species, as it's a versatile crop nutrient. It combats many diseases that affect many garden plants. Furthermore, timely application of this fertilizer positively impacts the taste of the fruit.

Molybdenum microfertilizers

Molybdenum is most often used in forest soils, which is not the case in acidic soils. Molybdenum micronutrient fertilizers are unlikely to exhibit their beneficial properties in such soils. If molybdenum must be added to acidic soils, the soil must first be mixed with lime.

Types of molybdenum microfertilizers:

• Molybdenum powder – contains up to 17% of this substance. The powder is sprinkled on seeds before sowing or diluted with water and then sprayed on the planting material;
• Ammonium molybdate – contains up to 52% molybdenum. This is a record-breaking amount of this substance among similar fertilizers. This type of fertilizer is mixed with the soil before planting seeds and tubers;
• Waste from light bulb production fertilizes entire fields of grain and legume crops. Molybdenum can increase grain and legume yields by 30%.

Manganese microfertilizers

Manganese fertilizers can have a beneficial effect on all types of crops in various climatic conditions. In various zones of the country, this type of fertilizer can significantly increase crop yields. Manganese works well even on sod-podzolic soils.

Manganese regulates protein and carbohydrate metabolism and activates plant enzymes. If a plant is deficient in manganese, its leaves turn yellow, and distinct stripes can be seen on them.

The most popular manganese micronutrient fertilizer is manganese sulfate. The mixture contains over 24% manganese oxide. It is used as a fertilizer according to the instructions: one kilogram per 100 square meters.

Copper micronutrient fertilizers

Copper is an essential micronutrient for normal plant growth and development. Without copper, plant leaves and stems can curl severely and lose their natural color. Copper sulfate is considered the primary copper-based fertilizer. It is applied to crops, diluted in water at a consistency of 500 grams per 100 square meters.

Cobalt fertilizers

Cobalt can enhance plant growth, fix nitrogen, and participate in crop metabolism. This type of micronutrient fertilizer is used in meadows and pastures. This is especially important because cobalt is also needed by animals grazing in the meadows. By consuming grass enriched with this micronutrient, ungulates are less likely to get sick and die.

Among cobalt fertilizers, the most popular are:

• cobalt sulfate (20% cobalt);
• cobalt chloride (35.7% cobalt).

Iron micronutrient fertilizers

Iron micronutrient fertilizer is more commonly known as ferrous sulfate. It comes in the form of an azure-colored crystalline powder. It's used not only as a fertilizer but also as a useful insect pest control agent.

But iron's primary function is as a fertilizer. Iron is readily soluble and readily available for plant nutrition. Without iron, plants can die, lose color, and become brittle. Fruit trees—apples, pears, and peaches—are particularly vulnerable.

Ready-made microfertilizers

Manufacturers have developed ready-made micronutrient fertilizers specifically for the convenience of gardeners. These are complexes that contain many micronutrients essential for normal plant growth. They can not only increase crop yield but also protect it from external factors.

Here are the most popular ready-made micronutrient fertilizer complexes:

• "Master" is a foliar fertilizer containing zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron. It always remains in chelated form, so its spectrum of action is quite broad;
• "Sizam" protects against pests and diseases and also increases yield. It's especially suitable for feeding cabbage. In addition to zinc, calcium, iron, and magnesium, it also contains B vitamins and sucrose. It can be used to treat seeds before planting.
• "Oracle" is used to feed plants, berries, and meadows. Contains magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, and vitamin B;
• Reacom reduces nitrates in fruits. It is used for grain and potatoes. Reacom significantly increases the yield of vegetable and grain crops while also protecting plants from pests.

Reviews

Valentin, 54 years old, Moscow region:

"I use iron micronutrient fertilizers constantly because my garden is located in a difficult spot. Fortunately, by fertilizing the soil with iron and lime, growing a good harvest is now no longer a problem."

Nadezhda, 56 years old, Stavropol:

"I discovered chelated fertilizers quite recently. I use them in tablet form, which I dilute with water and spray on my cabbage and potatoes. Not only does the soil become more fertile, but there are also fewer harmful insects."

Anatoly, 66 years old, Yekaterinburg:

"A monofertilizer is a great option for those who know what their garden needs. I had my soil tested and found a manganese deficiency. That's why I was losing crops. I bought a package of manganese powder and that was it. Now the harvest is good, the plants are always fresher, the flowers are lush, and they haven't lost their color."