What Do Minerals and Trace Elements Do? Part 2

In part one of What Do Minerals and Trace Elements Do, we looked at the main ‘big three’ minerals needed in your soil: phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. And we also looked at some lesser known trace elements needed in our soil: calcium and magnesium.

In part two we will continue to look at the lessen known trace elements, this will give you a better understanding of just what is needed and when, to make your soil brim with health.

So let us continue:

S = Sulphur

Sulphur is an essential element in producing plant proteins and forming quality fruits, it helps not only in the fruit development but in its flavour and aroma.

Sulphur is found in relatively large quantities in cultivars of the Brassicas family, mainly the cabbage varieties. Sulphur, is what gives cabbage and related vegetables that ‘smell’ reminiscent of my school dinner days!!

So, be sure to add all your brassica plant waste to your compost heap, when you add the spent stalks, it is useful to smash them with a hammer, as the stalks can be large and tough to break down otherwise.

Availability of sulphur is reduced when the soil pH is below 5.5. But, thankfully, shortage of sulphur is unlikely in a rich soil full of a variety of organic matter. I was unable to find details of what to look for in the case of soil deficient in sulphur. (any suggestions welcome)

Fe = Iron

Iron is required in small amounts to help regulate a plants growth and it is an important part of chlorophyll formation.

Most soils will contain sufficient amounts of iron, without the need for any special focus on applying iron elements into your compost.

But, it will become unavailable when the soil pH is above 6 and when the soil is cold and wet and potassium and copper are in short supply.

For detecting an iron deficiency in a plant, their leaves can become pale yellow or even white in some instances, a condition known as ‘chlorisis’ where the plant leaves lose their green coloration, this is usually due to high amounts of lime in the soil, disease or lack of light.

Cu = Copper

Copper is essential in small amounts for various plant enzymes to assist with the uptake of iron from the soil.

Copper becomes un available when the soil pH is above 7.5, or when the soil is abundant in iron and has a specific ‘red’ tone to it. Copper can also be prevented from being used by plants if too much ‘super phosphate’ fertilizer has been added to the soil, a favorite habit of many commercial farmers.

For a supply of copper, collect some seaweed from the beach during those winter gales and make a seaweed tea.

Zn = Zinc

Zinc is an essential part of hormone production, especially in the hormones that expand the stems length and leaf growth.

Zinc becomes unavailable when the soil pH is above 7.5 or again, when there has been excessive use of ‘super phosphate’ fertilizers. this is because the high phosphate levels in the soil block the enzymes in the plant roots from absorbing the zinc in the soil.

Mo = Molybdenum

Molybdenum helps with forming proteins and with the conversion of Nitrogen from a gas to a soluble solution readily available for the plant roots to take up from the soil.

Legumes (Bean varieties) and Brassicas especially require an adequate supply of molybdenum for healthy growth and for their ability to ‘fix’ the nitrogen in the soil so it becomes available for plants to use.

Molybdenum deficiency is more likely in acidic soils where the soil pH is below 6. Your plants unable to absorb molybdenum will show signs similar to nitrogen deficiency – Generally poor growth, leaves lack the vibrant green colour and are more likely to be pale or even yellow (especially in the case of Brassicas) See Nitrogen in Part One for more details.

Ma = Manganese

Manganese is required in small amounts to help with photosynthesis and assist in making plant compounds.

Specific soil pH of 6 -6.5 is required for this trace element to be available, soil pH higher and it becomes unavailable. WARNING: Levels of Manganese can become TOXIC in very acidic soils.

B = Boron

Boron is essential in building cell walls and for assisting with the uptake of calcium. The complication s can become two fold:

When boron is unavailable the plant cannot use the calcium available in the soil so the plant will show signs of calcium deficiency when it is really lacking boron. This case of mistaken deficiency can lead to an over liming of the soil to correct the calcium deficiency.

Co = Cobalt

This trace element is known a an ‘indirect’ requirement, as it’s used in the soil and not the plant to convert nitrogen into a soluble form that the plant can use from it’s gas form from the air in the soil.

Related posts:

1. What Do Minerals and Trace Elements Do? Part 1 The aim of all gardeners is to grow healthy plants...
2. Understanding Soil pH Look in any gardening book, under the section that deals...