Chelated micronutrients play
an important role in the complex world of agriculture, where crops' health is
continuously threatened by erratic environmental factors and ominous pathogens.
Even though they are frequently overlooked by larger factors like water, sunlight,
and macronutrients, these micronutrients are crucial to the resilience and
health of crops.
This blog aims to explore
the amazing function of chelated micronutrients in reducing abiotic stressors
and enhancing crop defenses against pathogens. We'll delve into the science and
practical applications that make these micronutrients a crucial part of
contemporary agriculture, from comprehending what chelation means to look at
how these minerals serve as a weapon for plants. Now let's explore how these
little but formidable allies are having a significant impact on the fields.
What is chelated form of micronutrients?
Essential trace elements
including iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), and cobalt
(Co) are chelated micronutrients because they are bound to chelators, which are
organic molecules. Typically, these chelators are organic substances like
organic acids or amino acids. Common chelating agents include
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Ethylene diamine succinic acid (EDDS), HEDTA
(N-hydroxyethyl ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), Oxalic Acid, Citric Acid, and
diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). In order to keep the micronutrient
from becoming insoluble or chemically inaccessible in the soil, chelation is a
chemical process that creates a stable, soluble combination between the
micronutrient and the chelating agent.
It's crucial to remember that based on the particular micronutrient, crop, and soil conditions, the choice of chelating agent and application technique can change. To assess whether chelated micronutrient supplementation is necessary and to optimize the application technique, farmers and agronomists frequently analyze the soil and examine plant tissue samples.
Chelated micronutrients
are important for the reduction of abiotic stress in plants. Abiotic stressors,
which include elements like drought, salt, heavy metal toxicity, and nutrient
inadequacy, are non-living environmental variables that can adversely affect
plant growth and development.
What is the role of Micronutrients in providing abiotic stress tolerance?
Enhanced Uptake of
Nutrients: Chelation is the process of joining
organic molecules with micronutrients (such as iron, zinc, manganese, and
copper) to create stable complexes. By improving their solubility and
bioavailability, these nutrients are more readily absorbed by plants from the
soil. Plants' capacity to absorb nutrients from the soil may be hampered by
abiotic stress. Chelated micronutrients ensure that the plant has easy
access to vital nutrients even under trying circumstances.
Enzyme Activation: Micronutrients
serve as cofactors for numerous enzymes involved in stress response and
tolerance mechanisms. When ingested by plants, chelated micronutrients can
activate these enzymes. For instance, zinc is a cofactor for various
stress-related enzymes, and iron is necessary for the synthesis of chlorophyll.
These enzymes work efficiently when the micronutrient supply is adequate, which
enables plants to cope with stress better.
Antioxidant defense:
Under conditions of abiotic stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) frequently
build up in plant cells, resulting in oxidative damage. Chelated micronutrients
like copper and manganese are essential parts of antioxidant enzymes like
catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). By scavenging ROS, these enzymes
lessen oxidative stress and minimize cellular damage.
Hormone Control: Iron
in particular has a crucial role in controlling the levels of plant hormones.
The plant reacts to abiotic stress using chemicals like abscisic acid (ABA).
Chelated iron can affect ABA production and transport, moderating stress reactions
and assisting plants in coping with challenging circumstances.
Support for Structure:
Boron is an important micronutrient for creating and maintaining cell walls.
Maintaining cell wall integrity becomes crucial under conditions of stress,
such as salt or drought. Chelated boron and other minerals fortify cell walls,
improving the plant's capacity to endure fluctuations in turgor pressure
brought on by stress.
Osmotic Regulation:
By preserving cell turgor pressure, several chelated micronutrients, such as
potassium, aid in osmotic regulation. This is crucial during drought stress
because healthy turgor pressure is necessary for plant and cell structure.
Root development: Chelated
micronutrients can also aid in the growth of healthy roots. The plant is more
resistant to abiotic stressors like drought when its roots are strong and
well-developed because they are better suited to search the soil for water and
nutrients.
By enhancing nutrient
uptake, activating enzymes, minimizing oxidative damage, controlling hormones,
offering structural support, assisting in osmotic management, and encouraging
root development, chelated micronutrients play a critical role in lowering
abiotic stress in plants. These advantages support plants' ability to resist
diverse environmental stresses and continue to grow and produce under difficult
circumstances.
Chelated micronutrients
are essential for boosting plant health and resilience, which in turn helps
control disease in crops. Chelated micronutrients help manage diseases in
agriculture in the following ways:
Enhanced Uptake of
Nutrients: In
comparison to non-chelated versions, chelated micronutrients are more easily
available to and absorbed by plants. Crops are better able to tolerate and
recover from diseases because of this improved nutrient uptake, which also
improves the health and vigor of the plants as a whole.
Enhancing Plant Immunity: Chelated
micronutrients are necessary for the activation of numerous enzymes and
proteins involved in plant defense mechanisms, especially elements like zinc,
copper, and iron. Plants can develop phytochemicals and secondary metabolites
that aid in disease resistance when their micronutrient levels are adequate.
Reduced Stress
Susceptibility: Crops that get an even distribution of
chelated micronutrients are less vulnerable to environmental stresses like
heat, drought, and nutrient imbalances. Healthier, more resilient plants are
better able to fend off viruses since stress can weaken plants and make them
more prone to diseases.
Improved Root Development:
Chelated
micronutrients can promote better root growth, which enhances the plant's
capacity to take up water and nutrients from the soil. Plants with robust,
well-developed roots are better able to fend off illnesses that target the root
system.
Control over
Disease-Producing Organisms: Certain plant pathogens, such as fungi and
bacteria, can be directly inhibited from growing and reproducing by some
micronutrients, such as copper. Fungicides with a copper base are frequently
used to manage crop diseases.
IPM (Integrated Pest
Management) compatibility: Chelated micronutrients can be used
in IPM techniques, which place an emphasis on a comprehensive approach to
disease and pest control. Micronutrients can be used in IPM strategies to
support plant health and lessen the need for chemical pesticides.
Suppression of Disease
through Competitive Exclusion: By encouraging the
growth of advantageous microorganisms in the soil, which can outcompete and
limit the growth of disease-causing organisms, chelated micronutrients can
indirectly aid in the control of diseases.
Chelated micronutrients
can be very helpful in the management of diseases; however, they should be used
in conjunction with other techniques such as crop rotation, cleanliness, insect
scouting, and the prudent use of pesticides when required. In order to
guarantee that crops receive the ideal balance of micronutrients to maintain
their health and resilience to diseases, effective soil testing and nutrient
management measures are crucial.
In conclusion, the
importance of micronutrients in the constantly changing world of agriculture
cannot be understated. These crucial trace elements, such as iron, zinc,
manganese, and copper, are necessary for the health and productivity of plants.
Making sure plants have access to these micronutrients becomes even more
important in the face of abiotic challenges including disease threat, salinity,
and nutritional imbalance. Chelated micronutrients are essential components of
contemporary agriculture. They give farmers the ability to defend their crops
against abiotic stressors and pathogens, resulting in healthier plants and
higher harvests. Utilizing the strength of chelated micronutrients will
continue to be a crucial tactic in the goal of robust and sustainable crop
production as agriculture develops.