A "greener" fertilizer for growing horticultural crops

From Agricultural Research magazine: Plants require certain elements for normal growth, including small amounts of micronutrients like iron, manganese, copper, and zinc. Fertilizers that provide these micronutrients often include certain synthetically produced organic compounds known as “chelating agents,” raising concerns about whether their runoff into waterways increases levels of heavy metals.

An Agricultural Research Service scientist with the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory (USHRL), in Fort Pierce, Florida, is testing a relatively new, natural, and “greener” chelating agent as an alternative to the synthetic ones.

To make sure plants take up sufficient quantities of the micronutrients they need, growers use fertilizers formulated with chelating agents. These compounds bind with the micronutrients so they are available in the root zone. “Chelating agents also allow growers to maintain concentrated fertilizer stock solutions that contain soluble micronutrients. Growers can dilute these solutions and inject nutrients into their irrigation water,” says horticulturalist Joseph Albano.

Click here to continue reading.