Trace elements, also known as micro-nutrients, are essential for plant growth and play a crucial role in balanced animal nutrition. They are required in very small quantities but are vital components of various systems in plants. In the context of agriculture, these elements are important for optimizing the growth and function of plants and animals.
Trace elements |
Plants |
Animals |
|---|---|---|
Boron (B)
 |
Boron is used for carbohydrates, sugar, metabolism and transport round the plant, inhibition of starch formation and for nucleic acid metabolism. Susceptible plants include brassicas and legumes. | There is no known function for B in animals. |
Copper (Cu)
 |
Copper is a constituent of proteins and is used in photosynthesis, respiration and nitrogen fixation | Cu is used to prevent ill-thrift, sway back, bone problems and poor reproduction. |
Cobalt (Co)
 |
Cobalt has no known function in pasture or crop plants. | Required by rhizobia (micro-organisms in the soil and clover nodules) for N fixation and by other microorganisms for making vitamin B12. |
Manganese (Mn)
 |
Plants use manganese for enzyme activity involved in carbohydrate metabolism, for making fatty acids and in energy transfers during photosynthesis. | Mn is used for the synthesis of bone and teeth, steroid hormones, glucose synthesis and utilisation. |
Molybdenum (Mo)
 |
Molybdenum is important for the rhizobia in clover nodules to assist in N fixation and for plants to use N. This is why a clover-only test for this element is recommended. | Mo is important for some enzyme activity and for Fe storage in tissues. |
Selenium (Se)
 |
There is no known function for selenium in plants even though they take up Se readily. | Se is used in enzymes that protect tissues from oxidation damage (anti-oxidant) and also for general cellular activity. Sold as Selprill double. |
Zinc (Zn)
 |
Zinc is important for enzyme activity associated with carbohydrate metabolism. | Important for enzyme activity associated with carbohydrate, metabolism and also for protein synthesis |
Adding trace elements on Resupply
We tried to make it really easy to add Trace elements to your bulk fertiliser order on Resupply. Each trace element is added at a particular weight per Ha, so just click Area/rate and let us know your hectares and spread rate.
That's all there is to it - we'll calculate the correct amount and make sure that's mixed with the fertiliser you ordered and ready to go when you pick up from your local store. You can do more than one mix in your cart - each mix has a unique ID, so we can get the combination right.
