A field may have been tested, managed and treated to meet a wheat crop’s macronutrient needs (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and water) but micronutrient deficiency can prevent the crop from reaching its full yield potential. Zinc is a micronutrient for wheat but its potential effect on a wheat crop is not small.
It is well known wheat that has adequate zinc displays stronger emergence, faster stand establishment, healthier root growth, greater plant vigor and increased yield potential.
Wheat requires zinc in small but critical concentrations for several key actions, including:
- Seedling vigor
- Photosynthesis
- Plant and seed grain membrane functions
- Protein synthesis
- Sugar formation
- Phytohormone synthesis (for example, auxin)
- Defense against disease and stress factors (such as improved drought resistance)
Additional available zinc improves early season performance, which can set wheat up for increased yields. Even when a plant’s macronutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and water are met, zinc deficiency can prevent plants from reaching their full potential.