Journal or Publishing Institution: Proceedings Fluid Fertilizer Forum, Scottsdale
Author(s): Huber, D.M.
Article Type: Report
Record ID: 1096
Abstract: Micronutrients are regulators, inhibitors and activators of physiological
processes, and plants provide a primary dietary source of these elements for animals and people.
Micronutrient deficiency symptoms are often indistinct (“hidden hunger”) and commonly
ascribed to other causes such as drought, extreme temperatures, soil pH, etc. The sporadic nature
of distinct visual symptoms, except under severe deficiency conditions, has resulted in a
reluctance of many producers to remediate micronutrient deficiency. Lost yield, reduced quality,
and increased disease are the unfortunate consequences of untreated micronutrient deficiency.
The shift to less tillage, herbicide resistant crops and extensive application of glyphosate has
significantly changed nutrient availability and plant efficiency for a number of essential plant
nutrients. Some of these changes are through direct toxicity of glyphosate while others are more
indirect through changes in soil organisms important for nutrient access, availability, or plant
uptake. Compensation for these effects on nutrition can maintain optimum crop production
efficiency, maximize yield, improve disease resistance, increase nutritional value, and insure
food and feed safety.
Keywords: micronutrients, micronutrient deficiency, nutrient availability, yield, quality, disease, herbicide resistant crops, glyposate,
Citation: Huber, D.M., 2010, February. Ag chemical and crop nutrient interactions–current update. In Proceedings Fluid Fertilizer Forum, Scottsdale, AZ, 27.
