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Chapter-7

Chapter 7 discusses secondary and micronutrient fertilizers, highlighting the importance of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) for plant growth, particularly in Indian soils. It emphasizes the necessity of applying sulfur due to the replacement of traditional sources and the increased nutrient demands of high-yielding crop varieties. Additionally, it addresses the role of micronutrients such as zinc, iron, and copper, their deficiencies due to modern agricultural practices, and the use of chelates to enhance their availability in soil.

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Chapter-7

Chapter 7 discusses secondary and micronutrient fertilizers, highlighting the importance of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) for plant growth, particularly in Indian soils. It emphasizes the necessity of applying sulfur due to the replacement of traditional sources and the increased nutrient demands of high-yielding crop varieties. Additionally, it addresses the role of micronutrients such as zinc, iron, and copper, their deficiencies due to modern agricultural practices, and the use of chelates to enhance their availability in soil.

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dhar mesh
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHAPTER: 7

SECONDARY
AND
MICRONUTRIEN
T FERTILIZERS 1
 The secondary plant nutrients are Ca, Mg and S.
 Out of these, three nutrients, Ca and Mg are added
indirectly in soil through fertilizes and soil
amendments.
 Soil contains Ca and Mg as exchangeable and as
CaCO3 and dolomite.
 Normally, it is not necessary apply Ca and Mg
fertilizers in soils of India
 Formerly, the use of FYM, A/S and superphosphate
sources of S were used and now their use is either
restricted or their replacement by other fertilizers
which are devoid of S
Sulphur now becomes necessary to apply in soil
because of the following reasons:
1. A/S a source of S is replaced by urea
2. Another source of S, superphosphate is replaced by DAP
3. Use of KCl instead of K2SO4
4. Decrease in the use of FYM and
5. Use of high yielding varieties which absorb more quantity of
nutrients.
 The soils deficient in sulphur are supplied with the sources of S
like elemental S.
 Elemental S when applied to soil, it is changed to SO 2 SO3
and H2SO4.
 This H2SO4 with basic material of soil gives its sulphate salt.
Plant absorbs S as SO-24. 3
Micronutrients or Trace Elements:
 The micro-nutrients are zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu),
Manganese (Mn), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo) and Chlorine
(Cl). These nutrients are present in available forms in soil in
very small quantity and the requirement by crops is also less.
 Application of micronutrient fertilizers now become necessary
in soil. The deficiency of micronutrients was observed in soil
because of the following reasons.
I. Due to increase in irrigation facility, the number of crops
taken in an year are increased.
II. Use of hybrid varieties which absorb more nutrients
III. Intensive cultivation
IV. Reduction in the use of organic manures like FYM, which
supply these nutrients,
V. Use of high analysis fertilizers which are devoid of these
nutrients. 4
Out of these micronutrients,
 chlorine is not applied as its fertilizer because it is indirectly
applied through irrigation water.
 Mo is required in very small quantity and is also present in
sufficient in some of seeds and soils and hence generally its
fertilizers are not used.
 Boron is found to be deficient in calcareous soil as it is changed to
calcium borate which is insoluble and hence boron is applied as its
fertilizers. All these nutrients are present as anions.
These four micronutrients ( Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu ) are generally
applied both soil and foliar as their sulphates at the time of deficiency
Now a days the micronutrient carriers which contain all two to
three in one. It is not advisable to use such types of materials as the
nutrients which are in sufficient in soil will reduce the availability of
other nutrients. In fact, for micronutrient, only the deficient nutrient
from soil test value should only be applied.
5
The micronutrient limits of the deficiency in soil, quantity and type of
fertilizers added by soil and foliar application is given below:

6
The micronutrients are soon changed to insoluble forms
when they are added to soil and hence chelates are used as one
of the sources. Chelates (meaning “Claw") is a compound in
which metallic cation is bounded to an organic molecule. In
chelates form, the cations are protected from reactions with
inorganic constituents that would make them unavailable for
uptake.

The common chelating agents are:

EDTA : Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid

DTPA : Diethylene Triamine Penta Acetic Acid

HEDTA : Hydroxy Ethylenthylene diamine Triacetic Acid

NTA : Nitricotriacetic acid

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