MICRO NUTRIENTS 

• Also referred to as trace or minor nutrients.
• They are required in small quantities/traces.
• They are essential for proper growth and development of plants.

They include;

• Iron,
• Manganese,
• Copper
• Boron,
• Molybdenum

ROLE OF MICRONUTRIENTS AND THEIR DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

Copper

• Role in oxidation-reduction reactions.
• Respiration and utilization of iron
• Deficiency symptoms-yellowing of young leaves.

Iron

• Synthesis of proteins.
• Takes part in oxidation-reduction reactions.
• Deficiency symptoms – leaf chlorosis

Molybdenum

• Nitrogen transformation in plants.
• Metabolization of nitrates to amino acids and proteins
• Deficiency symptoms –leaf curl and scathing.

Manganese – Same as molybdenum.

Zinc

• Formation of growth hormone.
• Reproduction process
• Deficiency symptoms – white bud formation.

Boron

• Absorption of water.
• Translocation of sugar

Inorganic Fertilizers

• These are chemically produced substances added to the soil to improve fertility classification according to nutrients contained

Straight – contain only one macronutrient.

Compound fertilizers – contain more than one macronutrient

Time of application

Some applied when planting.

Top dressing after crop emergence

Effects on the soil pH.

• Acidic fertilizers.
• Neutral fertilizers.
• Basic fertilizers.