Articles
MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLY: GROWING PROBLEM IN THE CULTIVATION OF HIGH VALUE CROPS IN ARID ZONES
Article number
158_35
Pages
293 – 306
Language
Abstract
- Regular fertilizer programs (NPK) do not provide even a minimum of micronutrients needed by intensive horticultural crops.
- Irrigation, a pre-requisite in dry areas, further induces alkalinity and hence reduces the possibility for plants to take up micronutrients through their root system.
- Although no deficiency symptoms may yet be found, hidden hunger which can cause yield losses over years must be expected, due to the particular growing conditions.
- Soil and plant analysis can help predicting the types of micronutrient problems.
Results have come in too late if deficiency symptoms are already present on crops.
The yield of the crop is already affected. - The most reliable test is the condition of the plant itself; micronutrient sprays on test plots should be a routine work.
If micronutrient fertilization is already a standard practice, test plots could be left receiving no micronutrients. - Availability of soil-borne and soil-applied micronutrients varies throughout the cropping period.
This cycle is not adjusted to the requirements of crops for micronutrient. - Foliar applied micronutrients suffer no transformation losses, they can be supplied as required.
- Chelated micronutrients are especially efficient; they remain at an active stage even whilst being translocated within the plant.
- Most micronutrient deficiencies are induced deficiencies.
Therefore, the horticulturist must always expect mixed deficiencies. - The amount of micronutrients needed to prevent a deficiency is extremely small.
Foliar application is economic.
Highly efficient chelates further reduce application rates.
Oversupply is thus most unlikely ever to occur. - Micronutrient fertilization is a sort of crop insurance.
If a single micronutrient contained in a multinutrient spray prevents the plants from suffering a deficiency during even a short lapse of time, the money for that fertilizer was well spent.
One should not regret having sprayed other micronutrients which in this case seemed to be unnecessary.
Publication
Authors
A. Fritz
Keywords
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