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• Main elements
• Trace elements
• Trace elements in practice

In order to be able to grow normally, every crop is in need of main elements in quite high amounts. The following nutrients should always be available to the plant: 

• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Potassium (K)
• Magnesium (Mg)
• Calcium (Ca)
• Sulphur (S)

Besides the main elements, which always return in a nutritional feeding schedule, the trace elements (also called micro nutrients) should never be forgotten or underestimated. Trace elements play an important role during metabolism and a number of enzymatic reactions. An excess amount or absence could lead to an increased susceptibility for diseases. The most important trace elements are listed below: 

• Iron (Fe)
• Manganese (Mn)
• Zinc (Zn)
• Boron (B)
• Copper (Cu)
• Molybdenum (Mo)

Not all trace elements are available to the plant when a low or high pH level is measured. 

“A high pH level could result in the trace elements precipitating. The same applies when the pH level is low. When this happens, the micro element is no longer available to the plant, which means it cannot be taken in by the plant. As a result, an increased risk for a deficiency is there, which should be prevented at all times.”, according to our product specialist fertilizers. 

During growth, an augmented pH level in the root area is seen. This pH leads to a lower availability of many trace elements. This could happen when making use of sulphates. In order to prevent precipitation of micro nutrients in a low or high pH in the fertilizer solution or root environment, it is recommended to make use of chelates.

Chelates are organic molecules that have the possibility to keep many elements available in the root environment and fertilizer solution. Thanks to this claw named the chelate, the transport of nutrients towards the roots is ensured. Some trace elements are unstable when the pH in the root environment fluctuates or when dissolved in the fertilizer tank. Precipitation of the elements could cause problems for the crop, since they are no longer available to the plant. 
To ensure the intake of every crucial nutrient, such as iron for example, the use of chelates is inevitable. Iron should always be offered to the crop in chelated form, because it easily precipitates when in contact with other nutrients in the substrate and fertilizer tank. Selecting the correct chelated trace elements strongly depends on the pH level in your fertilizer solution and root environment.

When speaking about chelates, one always talks about percentages. With this percentage, insight is given into what percentage of the fertilizer, consists out of a chelated element. For example, Easygro Zn-EDTA 15%, contains 15% of zinc. The rest of the fertilizer is organic material, namely the molecule of the chelate itself.

Multiple chelates are available. All of which the usage depends on the pH level in which the fertilizers eventually end up. 

• Iron

The nutrient iron can be chelated in different ways and is available in Fe-EDTA, Fe-DTPA, Fe-EDDHA. These different chelates each have their own pH range. 

• Manganese

The nutrient manganese is available in an EDTA chelate.

• Zinc 

Zinc is available in the form of an EDTA chelate. 

• Boron

Boron is not available in the form of a chelate, because it cannot be chelated due to technical reasons. 

• Copper

Copper is available in an EDTA chelate. 

• Molybdenum

Molybdenum cannot be chelated, due to technical reasons. It is available in sodium molybdate and ammonium sulphate.

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How to prevent a shortage of trace elements?
There are, however, various factors - among which the acidity level - that often prevent trace elements from being absorbed by a plant. This creates a nutrient deficiency. Our specialist give you tips on how to preven this problem.

What is the difference between sulphates and chelates?
Trace elements can be administered to the plant in different ways. For example, sulphates or chelates can be used, but what is the difference?

How can trace elements be converted?
Trace elements are offered to a crop in a fertilizer solution. One trace element is offered in a solid form, while the other is offered in liquid from. Some trace elements can be used in both forms, resulting in the need to convert the amount of fertilizers.