All Micronutrient Products are NOT the Same
In recent years, studies conducted by universities in the Midwest on soybeans have concluded that the application of micronutrients provides little or no economic benefit; however, this is an over-generalization and ignores the fact that all micronutrient products are not the same.
Different Forms and Application Methods
Micronutrients can be applied in different forms. Early micronutrients fertilizers were applied as salts, such as copper sulfate as a source of copper. Salt forms of micronutrients are most often applied to the soil, where roots can take up the nutrients. Today, chelated forms of micronutrients are more effective in delivering these nutrients, whether applied in-furrow or to the foliage. EDTA (ethylene diaminetetraacidic acid) is the most common form of chelate that is used with micronutrients. It is routinely used with starter fertilizers (such as EDTA zinc applied in-furrow with corn) because it can tolerate the high pH’s often found in started fertilizers. For foliar application, sugar-based chelates are generally more effective. Sugar-based chelating agents permit rapid movement through the waxy leaf surface into the leaf, and once inside rapidly move throughout the plant.
Different Tank Mix Responses
Micronutrients are seldom applied to crops alone. Some micronutrient formulations are not as effective when mixed with pesticides or other chemicals (for example, mixing glyphosate with EDTA zinc or other EDTA micronutrients). Glyphosate is a stronger chelating agent than EDTA, and can bind to and tie up these micronutrients. The result is a reduction in the effectiveness of both the micronutrients and the herbicide. For effective weed kill higher herbicide rates are often needed, further reducing the effectiveness of micronutrients in the tank mix. The advantage of sugar-based chelates used in AgriGuardian™ products is they are stronger chelates than glyphosate and most other chemicals. In fact, it is routinely observed that the use of these sugar-based chelates enhances weed kill of herbicides, by increacing the absorption of herbicide into the foliage of the weeds.
Soil Micronutrient Deficiencies and Crop Needs
The vast majority of agricultural soils are low in one or more of the seven (7) essential micronutrients that can reduce crop performance. AgriGuardian MicroMix Complete™ was formulated to be a balanced micronutrient product based on overall crop needs. It is an economical means to address overall micronutrient deficiencies and to offset induced deficiencies caused by chemical use (such as glyphosate). Additionally, soil test and tissue/sap tests should be conducted to determine individual micronutrient deficiencies that may be severe and can limit crop potential. Specific micronutrients may need to be applied to maximize yields where deficiencies occur in individual crops (such as zinc to corn and molybdenum to soybeans). In addition to AgriGuardian MicroMix Complete™, AgriGuardian™ provides individual micronutrients in sugar-based chelated formulations, such as AgriGuardian Zinc™ and AgriGuardian Moly™, as well as EDTA formulations where needed.
Return on Investment (ROI)
AgriGuardian™ micronutrients have consistently provided growers with a positive return on their investment when properly used. AgriGuardian MicroMix Complete™ routinely increases yields of soybeans by 2-3 bushels and corn by 3-5 bushels to give a return on investment in the range of 100% to over 200%. When glyphosate (and similar herbicides) are tanked mix with AgriGuardian MicroMix Complete™, the return on investment from using AgriGuardian MicroMix Complete™ can be much greater. When soil tests and/or tissue tests show individual micronutrients are low in a field or crop, AgriGuardian™ micronutrients have been reported by growers to consistently increase yields and profits with proper application.
Contact your local AgriGuardian™ distributor for more information on micronutrients and other AgriGuardian™ products.
