Zinc is a micronutrient that, despite its importance for crop growth, is often overlooked and omitted from our fertilisation plans.
Its chemical symbol is Zn. Zinc is absorbed by plants in the form of divalent ion (Zn2) or in chelated form. It is one of the eight essential micronutrients responsible for optimal growth and development of plants and crops.
Despite its limited mobility within plants, it plays a key role in functions such as enzyme activation, carbohydrate and protein synthesis and the formation of essential hormones that monitor crop development, such as auxin-like hormones. It is also involved in chlorophyll production and in resistance to abiotic stresses such as high temperatures and drought. It is estimated that some 2,800 proteins depend on this micronutrient, either for synthesis or to act in other processes, and it is involved in 80 enzymatic processes.
Other functions of Zinc in plants
- It plays a leading role in the process of transforming sugars into starch.
- It is involved in seed maturation and production processes, and in hormone metabolism by regulating the level of auxins through the synthesis of the amino acid tryptophan.
- It is involved in the maintenance of cell membranes.
- It is very important for the stability of ribosomes and helps in the formation of elements such as pollen.
- It is essential for cellular defence against highly toxic free radicals.
- It plays a vital role in the process of shoot elongation and leaf expansion.
In addition, the use of a zinc fertiliser in crops:
- Improves growth, optimises fertilisation and enhances the quality of the crops.
- Helps plants to better withstand adverse conditions, such as extreme temperatures and situations like persistent drought.
- Stimulates the absorption of other basic nutrients for plant development, such as phosphorus and nitrogen.
- Has a positive impact on human nutrition, since the contribution of Zinc in crops enriches the nutritional quality of food and benefits human health.
Root cause of Zinc deficiency
The root cause of zinc deficiency is soils lacking in this micronutrient. It is currently estimated that half of the agricultural soils used for cereal crops are potentially lacking in this nutrient. In grain cereal such as corn, wheat, and rice, it can cause yield losses of up to 30% without the appearance of visible symptoms on the crop. Certain soil types, combined with certain weather conditions, result in less zinc in the soil available for plants to consume. Under these conditions, crops have less resistance to stress factors, as mentioned in the article. Furthermore, they are more susceptible to pathological infections, which can cause chlorosis and necrosis in leaves, leading to significant growth delays. Zinc deficiency symptoms generally include small plants, light green areas between the veins of new leaves, and short internodes. In corn, for example, it appears as wide white bands on either side of the central vein in young leaves, and in wheat, it causes brown necrotic spots.
The general characteristics of the soil, which can lead to Zinc deficiencies in a crop are:
- Soil pH, soils with pH greater than 7.4
- Low temperature
- Sandy or coarse-textured soils
- Soils with high amounts of phosphorus
- Anaerobic conditions
- Calcareous or limed soils with high calcium carbonate content.
- Low or high level of organic matter
Currently, it is estimated that more than 2 million people suffer from zinc deficiency. This is a common problem in rural areas, which especially affects children by slowing their growth, impairing their immune and neurological systems and increasing respiratory diseases. The solutions would involve taking supplements of this nutrient in tablets and fertilising crops with zinc-rich fertilisers.
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