Efficacy of Chelated Micronutrients in Plant Nutrition

Abstract

Micronutrients play a crucial role in supporting plant growth and development, even though they are required in minimal quantities. Deficiencies in certain micronutrients can have a significant impact on plant development leading to reduced yields and lower-quality crops. Chelation, a vital process in plant nutrition, involves the formation of stable complexes of micronutrients bound to organic molecules, offering a promising solution to enhance their effectiveness in plant nutrition and mitigate deficiencies. Chelates contribute to the plant’s stability and uptake of micronutrients, thus alleviating the effects of inadequacies. Chelating agents can be broadly categorized as synthetic or natural compounds. Synthetic chelators encompass substances like EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid), DTPA (Diethylene Triamine Penta Acetic Acid), and EDDHA (Ethylene-Diamine-di-O-Hydroxy Phenylacetic Acid). In contrast, natural chelators include amino acids, peptides, and organic acids. The mechanisms of chelation in plants and soil involve intricate interactions among chelates, micronutrients, and soil components, facilitating the uptake and translocation of micronutrients within plant tissues. Although, natural chelates exhibit superior stability and compatibility with soil microbiota in addition to synthetic chelates still promotes sustained nutrient availability. Through this review, the efficacy of chelated micronutrients in enhancing plant growth, yield, and overall nutritional quality is investigated, shedding light on their potential to address deficiencies and optimize agricultural productivity.

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