09/05/2022
Weekly column: how important are TRACE ELEMENTS DEMETRA's main products
Our weekly
column on plant nutrition comes to an end with this article on trace elements,
catalytic elements essential for the production of enzymes and that accelerate
chemical reactions.
IRON
Iron, for the
most contained in leaves and chloroplasts (growing parts of the plant) is an
essential element, especially for the aerial apparatus of plants, which ensures
optimal synthesis of chlorophyll, photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
In nature, it
is present in the soil in an insoluble form and it is not easily assimilated by
the roots therefore, it should be transformed into a simple bivalent or complex
trivalent ferrous ion. This reduction in ferrous ion does not occur in soils at
high pH level and/or with a high content in active limestone, the resulting
iron deficiency is due to its antagonism with calcium, magnesium, zinc and
copper which creates non-absorbable complexes.
It is important
to ensure a proper intake of iron to avoid deficiencies that reduce vegetation
and production and manifest themselves with a characteristic yellow interveinal
color on leaves.
Our line of
iron chelates includes DTPA and EDTA (leaf) and EDDHA (root) chelated products.
The products
for radical applications, to be uses with hose or even with the shower both for
vegetable and fruit crops, are: REFER, the top of the range, MACHFER and FE
650.
Products specific for foliar application are: Ferrochelato Ellesei (DTPA, more selective) in liquid formula, Machstar Fe DP (DTPA) in micro-granules, Machstar Fe LO (EDTA more aggressive) in micro-granules. In other products iron are combined with manganese (Chelato Fe-Mn) or other trace elements (Microtech Ps).
Products specific for foliar application are: Ferrochelato Ellesei (DTPA, more selective) in liquid formula, Machstar Fe DP (DTPA) in micro-granules, Machstar Fe LO (EDTA more aggressive) in micro-granules. In other products iron are combined with manganese (Chelato Fe-Mn) or other trace elements (Microtech Ps).
It is important
to choose the right product, number of application and dose taking into account
both the crops and soil composition; the choice of the most appropriate formula
will be done by the specialized technician, able to suggest the best product.
BORON
This element is
very important, despite being absorbed by plants in very small quantities.
Essential for metabolism
and transport of sugars to improve organoleptic qualities, it affects growth of
the roots and the division of meristematic tissues, improving fruit size, it also
affects the reproductive process, controlling the formation and viability of
pollen.
Boron promotes
the uptake of cations, especially calcium, and it is stored mainly in the
leaves. Its deficiency involves a stop in buds’ development and the necrosis of
the vegetative apices.
Boron gets lost
in sandy soils while it is little movable in the clayey ones, where its
decomposition is slow.
It is easier to
have a deficiency of this element in periods of drought while its availability
decreases with increasing of soil pH (alkalinity). Moreover, an excessive
presence of nitrogen and calcium leads to a reduction in the absorption of this
element.
Our main
products are: Boron 17 PS (boric acid) in soluble powder and Boron Elleundici
(boron ethanolamine) in liquid formulation. Boron is also contained in small
quantities in other formulations such as Microtech PS, Magnesium 15 PS + micro,
Micromix L, Briocall Forte PS and in the products composing our water-soluble
gamma, Magnus Plant and Mirafoil (from our NECTARYA GOLD line). The high quantity
of products containing this element in are catalogue remarks its importance for
the crops.
MANGANESE
Manganese is
the component of chlorophyll granule structure, it promotes its photosynthesis
acting activating ion and it help the cellular respiration overall. It also
activates the enzyme responsible for the oxidation of indoleacetic acid,
resulting in the formation of auxins.
It is stored in
the leaves and its ratio with iron must always remain 2 to 1. An excess of this
element involves ferric chlorosis.
In the soil it
is absorbed as a bivalent cation Mn2+, its availability is limited in alkaline
soils. This element is poorly movable towards the roots and the periods of
drought compromise its uptake, causing chlorosis first in the youngest and then
in the older leaves while, under normal conditions, crops have the tendency to
absorb too much manganese.
DEMETRA
products based on this element are: Manganese chelate L (EDTA), Manganese L
(from sulfate), Manganese NT L (from manganese nitrate) all in liquid form. As
for iron and boron, this important element is also contained in other
formulations already mentioned above, combined with other trace elements.
COPPER
Copper composes
some metal-proteins and in particular cytochromes. As a catalyst element, it is
active in the phenomena of oxide-reduction, in protein and chlorophyll synthesis
and it is essential for the production of important enzymes.
It is absorbed
by the soil as a simple or complex ion, antagonist of iron (excesses of copper
can lead to a decrease in the availability of this elements), molybdenum,
manganese, phosphorus and nitrogen, it is not easy to have deficiencies of this
element in plants.
ZINC
Zinc participates
in synthesis of tryptophan, a precursor of auxins (growth hormones) and it is
present in several enzyme systems that are involved in proteins’ metabolism, it
is mainly stored in seeds and it is more available in an acidic environment.
It is easily
absorbed as a bivalent ion (Zn--) both by roots, leaf epidermis and branches.
An excess of
zinc causes deficiencies of iron, of which it is strongly antagonistic, and
phosphorus too.
Our main
products are: Zincochelato Ellesette (EDTA) and Zinc L. This element is also
present in different formulations, in a mixture with other trace elements such
as: Magnesium Zinc L, Magnesium 15 PS + micro, Micromix L, Microtech PS and in
the products composing our water-soluble gamma, Magnus Plant and Mirafoil (from
our NECTARYA GOLD line).
MOLIBDENUM
This element is
essential in protein synthesis and nitrogen metabolism (assimilation and use,
important especially for alfalfa and soy) and it limits the accumulation of
nitrates in vegetables.
Available in
soil with neutral pH, it is vital for legumes and cauliflower, cultures where
deficiency is manifested by a deformation of young leaves.
Our main
solution containing molybdenum is Molibor (in mixture with boron ) in liquid
formulation.
As always, a
proper nutrition comes from an appropriate choice of products and a program of
targeted interventions according on the crop and the soil conditions (carrying
out analysis is very important). This will avoid deficiencies, which will
inevitably lead to poor quality and quantitative results.
DEMETRA’s range is complete for all crops and all phenological stage with products that can be used both in fertigation, in soil or for foliar treatments. To have further and detailed information about our products you can require our catalogue at the following address: box@demetra.eu.
CONTATTACI
Demetra Italia s.r.l. | box@demetraitalia.it | tel. +39 0542 670170 | Via San Vitale, 5 - Imola (BO) Italia | Stabilimento: Via delle Arti, 6 - Castel Guelfo (BO) Italia | P.IVA: IT00596661207