ATP

Zn

Zinc

Zinc

Knowledge

Zinc has the power to impact many important processes including stomatal activity, photo assimilate movement, disease resistance and insect infestation, and overall plant growth and yield.

Quick Facts About Zinc

  • Zinc activates or is a component of several enzymes and therefore affects many metabolic processes in the plant.
  • As a component of enzymes, Zinc catalyzes the synthesis of fructose-6-Phosphate, an important metabolite in glycolysis and therefore photosynthesis.
  • Affects the indole-3-acidic acid content which is important for regulation of plant growth.
  • Zinc plays an essential role in ATP and protein synthesis.
  • Zinc is an essential component of RNA polymerase which catalyzes RNA synthesis, which in turn affects production of proteins.
  • Form used by plant: Zn+2.

Role of Zinc in Plants

  • Aids plant growth hormones and enzyme systems.
  • Helps in pollination and seed formation.
  • Necessary for protein synthesis and membrane function.
  • Influences plant hormone proteins, for example auxin development, especially IAA.
  • Active in chlorophyll synthesis & manufacturing of carbohydrates.
  • Causes healthy root growth, leading to enhanced grain yield.
  • Important for cellular defence systems against toxic oxygen free radicals (SO).

Zinc Deficiencies:

Deficiency Symptoms

  • Leaves are smaller and narrower than normal (“little leaf”), and their tips are often white . The entire plant is often stunted (dwarfism).
  • Malformation of foliage and reduced fruit set.
  • Yellow or chlorotic striping.
  • Older and middle leaves display chlorotic spots with necrotic areas.
  • Shortened internode.
  • In fruit crops, “rosette” or “little leaf” development occurs because of jammed internodes.
  • The growth of sprigs is inhibited and young shoots die.
  • Premature leaf senescence can also occur.
  • Leaf roll in potatoes.

Factors Affecting Deficiencies

  •  Low organic matter soils, high pH soils, light and sandy soils.
  • Excessive Sulphate and Phosphate content in the soil solution will result in immobilization of Zinc.
  • Under anaerobic conditions, Zinc can be precipitated into sulphide form which is largely unavailable to plants.
  • Conditions in which restrict root development such as compacted and cold wet soils, will negatively affect Zinc availability.
  • High available Phosphorus can accentuate Zinc deficiencies as well as high Nitrogen fertilization.
  • Very high Potassium levels may also include Zinc deficiency. 

Zinc Recommended Products

Product Type Details
PreCede Canola
Seed Nutrition
PreCede Cereal
Seed Nutrition
Ruff-Tuff Crop Mix ll
Micronutrient Soil
Ruffin-Tuff Zinc
Micronutrient Soil
Micro-Che Zn
Micronutrient Soil
Transit RxZn
Micronutrient Soil
Kinetic Zinc
Macronutrient Foliar
ReLeaf Soybean
Macronutrient Foliar
42PHI Canola
Macronutrient Foliar
42PHI Rhizo
Macronutrient Foliar

Nutrient Knowledge Guide

Download ATP’s Nutrient Knowledge Guide – Your All Inclusive Guide to Plant Nutrition, aimed to help you achieve optimum yield.

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