THE IMPORTANCE OF MICRONUTRIENTS - CONCLUSION

 

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Our look at micronutrients had led us from a study of the soil to the roots through the plant metabolism processes. While doint this, we have also reviewed some soil chemistry and plant physiology.

These are the areas in which we have looked at the micronutrients:

1. Natural state in the soil
2. Assimilation into plants via roots
3. Vital relationship to enzyme system
4. Roles in metabolism

The interwoven pathways of metabolism result in coordinated plant growth. The two major growth processes are photosynthesis and respiration; they produce the growth products and energy with which protein and protoplasm are built into cells. The cell structures and fabric are woven out of cellulose. When growth materials are regulated by hormones, and energy and nutrients are in adequate supply, growth proceeds.

Growth in all its phases is dependent on the micronutrients. We must be aware of their balance in the soil and their available fertilizer forms, availability and application rates in order to assure balanced levels of each micronutrient in plants.

Used wisely, micronutrients make profits.

Micronutrients in plants are just part of the story. The other part deals with the needs of humans and animals for these same micronutrients for normal life processes. The importance and effect of the micronutrient content of plants upon animal nutrition will be the subject of much research in the future. Just as we recently obtained the information of zinc requirement in the formation of the essential amino acid, tryptophane, so also should the information on other micronutrients be brought to light in relation to human and animal nutrition through plant life. This information will help chart the course of our micronutrient fertilizer programs in the future.

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