When growing in soil, nutrient solutions prepared on the basis of simple salts (magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium and potassium nitrate, monopotassium phosphate, magnesium nitrate) usually do not include microelements. This is because most of them are present in soils in varying quantities, zinc is supplied via irrigation water flowing through galvanized pipes, and molybdenum and copper are often components of plant protection products. The only microelement that must be regularly monitored and applied via fertilizers is boron. However, plants often suffer from so-called 'hidden' deficiencies of certain microelements, i.e., their unavailability to plants.
The movement of most microelements, as well as calcium, occurs with the ascending water flow. Therefore, reduced transpiration leads to microelements and calcium being unable to reach the upper parts of the plant or fruits. This is where symptoms of deficiency usually manifest. Thus, the formation of dome-shaped apices during the initial growing period, when the plant is still inactive, is associated with insufficient calcium and boron supply to these parts of the plant. Blossom end rot in tomato and pepper is caused by insufficient calcium reaching the fruit apex under microclimate disturbances (excessive or insufficient air humidity, elevated or reduced temperature). Such deficiencies can be prevented by optimizing temperature and humidity in the greenhouse. If maintaining required parameters is not possible, regular foliar applications (every 7-10 days) of boron- and calcium-containing fertilizers (Brexil Ca and Boroplus) are conducted.
The optimal pH range for growing vegetables and fruit crops is between 5.8 and 6.2. Within this acidity range, plants best absorb all macro- and microelements. Strong acidification of soil increases the solubility of manganese, iron, and aluminum, causing damage to plant root systems.
As pH increases, important microelements for plants such as iron, zinc, and copper form insoluble compounds (hydroxides) that precipitate and cannot be absorbed by plants. Additionally, on alkaline soils, solubility of phosphorus and boron sharply decreases. In these cases, it is necessary to optimize the pH of the substrate and perform foliar applications. Thus, prolonged irrigation with water having pH above 7.0 leads to soil alkalization and reduced availability of these microelements. As a result, plants suffer from their deficiency and lose part of their yield. Moreover, plant resistance to stress and pathogens decreases.
Another important factor is maintaining the optimal nutrient ratio for the specific crop in the substrate. Excess phosphorus causes zinc and iron to precipitate as phosphates, which are unavailable to plants. Deficiency symptoms of these microelements are often observed in plants grown on soils with high phosphorus content. It is known that zinc is an antagonist to iron, i.e., excess zinc ions in the soil solution disrupt iron uptake by plants. Therefore, when zinc content in irrigation water is elevated, iron application should be increased by 20-30%.
Thus, to prevent 'hidden' microelement deficiencies, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for root system development, particularly maintaining optimal pH and nutrient ratios in the substrate and soil.
To address this issue, Valagro has developed a series of microfertilizers using organic chelating agents EDTA. These agents form highly stable metal-organic complexes — chelates — completely preventing the formation of insoluble precipitates. The chelate firmly holds the ion until it is absorbed by the plant.
The primary function of chelating agents is to keep nutrients in forms accessible to plants. At the same time, they offer a range of other important advantages, such as resistance to degradation by soil microorganisms. Chelating agents significantly enhance the solubility of microelements, facilitating their movement to root surfaces and absorption even in strongly alkaline calcareous soils. Consequently, the easier the plant absorbs microelements, the faster it recovers from nutrient deficiency. And since the plant fully absorbs all microelements applied to the soil, the amount required to replenish deficiencies is less compared to using salts of these elements.
Using chelates Zn, Mn, Cu instead of currently used salts will not only increase the effectiveness of the aforementioned microelements but also the chelated iron DTPA applied together with them.
Valagro EDTA microfertilizers can be applied both directly to soil (substrate) for root absorption and via foliar application. Chelates are compatible with fertilizers and plant protection products of various types. The most effective method of application should be chosen depending on specific conditions, particularly soil pH or growing environment.
Chelated microelements often act more effectively than microelements from inorganic compounds. The reason is that chelates not only ensure nutrient availability but also facilitate microelement uptake by leaves.
Naturally, first, it is necessary to precisely determine whether the microelements present in the soil are insufficiently available for plants, which requires performing a chemical analysis of local soils. The true condition of plants can be assessed only through tissue analysis.
PACKAGING
Bags weighing 1 and 5 kg.
APPLICATION
