What Does Chelated Nutrients Mean?
Chelated nutrients are inorganic metal nutrients that are encased by organic molecules.
The Greek word ‘chelate’ translates into ‘claw’ and refers to the pincer-like manner that the inorganic metal nutrient is encircled by the organic molecules that resemble the shape of a lobster’s claw.
The organic molecules around the metal allow a plant to readily absorb the chelated nutrients because they change the micronutrient's surface property and facilitate the uptake efficiency of the plant.
Maximum Yield Explains Chelated Nutrients
Adding chelated nutrients to alkaline soils is highly beneficial. The chelated nutrients added to the soil with a low pH become readily available to a plant’s root system to absorb.
However, if chelated nutrients are applied to soil with a high pH balance the reverse occurs because the iron, zinc, copper, and manganese react to the soil’s ions to form an insoluble solution.
Chelated nutrients can also be applied to plants via foliar feeding. The organic surface molecules of the chelated nutrients can easily penetrate the waxy coating of a plant’s foliage so the plant can quickly utilize the valuable nutrients.
