Summary
This chapter reviews the agronomic importance of twelve key trace elements as plant micronutrient fertilisers, examining their biochemical functions, visual deficiency and toxicity symptoms, and soil chemistry. The authors connect plant micronutrient status to nutritional outcomes in humans and animals through the food chain, contextualising fertiliser management within human and animal nutrition.
Regional applicability
The principles of trace element micronutrient management are universally applicable to United Kingdom farming systems, though specific soil chemistry and agronomic practices would need to be adapted to UK soil types, pH ranges and climate. Micronutrient deficiencies are documented across UK arable and horticultural systems, particularly in sandy and alkaline soils.
Key measures
Functions and symptoms of trace element deficiency and toxicity in plants; chemical forms of trace elements in soil
Outcomes reported
The chapter describes the functions of twelve trace elements (boron, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, molybdenum, manganese, selenium, zinc, silicon, nickel and chlorine) as micronutrient fertilisers, and documents deficiency and toxicity symptoms in plants. It addresses optimal doses, excess and deficiency effects on plant growth, and the chemical forms in which these elements are delivered or present in soil.
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