An Overview of Micronutrients: Prospects and Implication in Crop Production

Abstract

Micronutrients are important for plant growth and they significantly play an important role in balanced crop nutrition. They are vital for appropriate growth and development of plants in their entire life span. A deficiency of any one of the micronutrients in the soil can limit the growth of plants, even when all other nutrients are available in adequate amounts. The deficiency of micronutrients is widespread in many areas due to the nature of soils, high pH, low organic matter, salt stress, continuous drought, high bicarbonate content in irrigation water and imbalanced application of fertilisers. In India, the most deficient micronutrient in the soil is Zn, followed by B. In recent years, the deficiency of micronutrient has risen to a great extent. Zn and B deficiencies are focussed mainly for their adverse impacts on human health and food production. This chapter attempts to examine the defects of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B and Mo deficiency in the soil and crops as well as the management of micronutrient deficiencies by way of fertilisation, development of agronomic strategies and creation of awareness of micronutrient dose. Deficiencies of Zn and B cause some severe complications in crop production in India. In view of the problems, we discuss the importance of micronutrients in agriculture and their roles and ways to improve crop productivity.