Crops need micronutrients because they are essential for proper plant growth, development and yield. Micronutrients help form a plant's enzymes, hormones and chlorophyll, and they improve nutrient uptake from the soil, flower and fruit set, and disease resistance. For example, zinc helps leaves make chlorophyll and grow, iron is important for chlorophyll synthesis, and boron improves flower and fruit formation.

So supplying crops with measured amounts of micronutrients raises productivity and quality. A plant needs 17 elements to survive, which is why balanced fertiliser or micronutrients must be used. If any one of these 17 elements is lacking, the plant gradually weakens within a short time and various diseases set in.

• Leaves turn yellow and fall, weakening the plant.
• Flowers and fruit drop.
• Fruit size becomes smaller.
• Plant growth stops.
• Attacks by harmful insects increase.

That is why micronutrients are essential for every plant. The micronutrient product is made by mixing every element the plant needs in the right proportion. Once it is applied, no extra fertiliser is needed; after one application no other fertiliser has to be used for the next four to five months. Micronutrients are extremely important for plants.

By plant care we usually mean applying fertiliser, using insecticide when pests appear and fungicide for fungal problems. One thing we often do not take seriously is applying micronutrients. Only a little is needed, but the problems caused by a shortage are very big and complex.

• Turns leaves deep green in just three to four days.
• Quickly revives a wilting plant.
• Improves flower colour and the plant's capacity to bear more flowers.
• Helps photosynthesis.
• Increases soil fertility.
• Strengthens the roots.

Using the right amount of micronutrients keeps a plant's overall health good, and with a balanced dose the plant becomes fresh, beautiful and vigorous. Chemical fertilisers, it is true, give very quick results.

But excessive chemical fertiliser can damage roots. Using chemical fertiliser on the same land for a long time raises the level of chemicals in the soil, and overuse harms the soil micro-organisms that help supply food to plants.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.