Micronutrients make major impacts

MARKET REPORT

Micronutrients make major impacts

The widespread problem of soil micronutrient deficiency has come under the spotlight in recent years. We look at the range of specialist fertilizer products able to tackle micronutrient deficits in crops and soils.

Micronutrients are essential for plant growth and a necessary part of balanced crop nutrition. They include boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc. Although required in much smaller amounts, micronutrient availability is arguably as important to plant nutrition as primary and secondary macronutrients. A lack of one or more micronutrients in soil can still limit plant growth, even when adequate levels of other nutrients are present (Fertilizer International 492, p22).

Non-chelated and chelated forms

Micronutrient fertilizers can be split into two main categories: non-chelated and chelated products. Demand for non-chelated micronutrient products is rising rapidly, making these products the fastest growing segment of the speciality fertilizer market globally. Large producers include Yara, Borax (Rio Tinto), Eti Maden, Agrichem, Cheminova, Brandt Consolidated, COMPO and Valagro1 .

Non-chelated products are formulated using inorganic micronutrient sources, typically oxides, carbonates and sulphates, borates and molybdates. They are able to be applied flexibly and can be incorporated into both compound fertilizers and foliar treatments. Co-formulants are generally incorporated to ensure stability and optimise performance during foliar application and seed coating. Complexing agents are used in concentrated liquid micronutrient fertilizers to produce the desired mixing behaviour.

Chelated micronutrient products, as the name suggests, benefit from the incorporation of a chelating agent. Because they are a popular choice in fertigation, growth in demand has tracked the rise in the global market for water-soluble fertilizers and drip irrigation (Fertilizer International 495, p22). AkzoNobel, the current world leader in chelated micronutrients, markets and distributes eight trademarks globally. AkzoNobel’s Rexolin brand is distributed worldwide by Yara International and its Rexene brand is distributed by SQM. France’s Angibaud & Spécialitées also distributes AkzoNobel’s Ferica brand. Compass Minerals, SQM and Mosaic also have a strong presence in this market1 .

An attractive growing market

Boron dominates the global agricultural market for micronutrients. The application of boron in agriculture reached 300,000 tonnes (B2 O3 ) in 2018, equivalent to around 15 percent of global B consumption. That compares to total global sales volume of around 65,000 tonnes for chelated micronutrients2 .

The main boron-consuming regions are East Asia, Latin America and Europe (Figure 1). About 35 percent of Chinese soils are thought to be boron deficient. Brazil’s acid soils also tend to be deficient in Boron as do the acid and sandy soils of Northern Europe.

World consumption of chelated micronutrient products in agriculture was in the region of 63,000-68,000 tonnes in 2018. Europe is the pre-eminent regional market with a global market share of around 35-38 percent (Figure 1). Iron products are the most widely consumed type of chelated micronutrient followed by manganese, zinc and copper (Figure 2).

Historically, chelated micronutrients were developed in Europe for application to vegetables. Because of their use in fertigation, demand generally tracks the water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) market. High premiums have, to date, limited market penetration in both India and China2 .

Selected products and producers

US Borax, part of Rio Tinto, is a global leader in borate fertilization. The company’s world-class mine in Boron, California, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, provides around 30 percent of the world’s supply of refined borates.

Adequate boron is a crucial factor in high crop yields and quality, with research showing that boron plays a significant role in:

• Strength of plant cell walls
• Membrane function and cell division
• Stimulation/inhibition of metabolic pathways
• Development of flowers and fruit
• Both new and reproductive plant growth.

Boron can be applied directly to soil, through fertigation, or as a foliar spray. Because boron application rates are quite low, making uniform coverage difficult, combining boron with other fertilizers is usually the best option. This help to decrease application costs as well as providing more even coverage. Boron application rates vary depending on crop, soil type, irrigation and yield goals.

US Borax manufactures and markets the following fertilizer products:

• Fertiboris a ® free-flowing, highly soluble granular product that contains 15 percent boron and leaves little or zero residue. Fertibor is versatile source of elemental boron that makes a valuable addition to solid, liquid or suspension fertilizers.
• Granubor® is a compacted form of refined boron that is ideal for bulk blending or direct application. Granubor contains 15 percent boron and – being a pure and fully water-soluble granular product – is able to meet crop boron demand throughout the growing season.
• Soluboris ® an economical source of boron formulated to disperse quickly in liquid leaving a minimal residue.Solubor is compatible with most crop protection chemicals making it ideal for tank-mix.
• SoluborFlow ® is a liquid suspension fertilizer with a boron content of 9.9 percent (w/w). Having a near neutral pH, use of Solubor Flow ensures minimal degradation of crop protection chemicals in tank-mix.

Fig. 1: Agricultural consumption of boron and chelated minerals, by region, 2018 Fig.

2: Agricultural consumption of chelated micronutrients by product type, 2018

US Borax products are fully refined to remove impurities. This process results in pure, natural products able to maximise plant uptake of boron throughout the growing season. Borax fertilizers are all suitable for organic farming, being listed as appropriate by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). This guarantees they are suitable for application on certified organic crops under the USDA National Organic Program and Canadian Organic Standards.

In global field studies, US Borax products have been shown to increase yield in a variety of crops. For example: l In a one year study of cotton in Brazil, the application of Granubor, starting at 1 kg B/ha, increased seed cotton yield compared to the control.

• In a two year study of rice in Vietnam, the application of Granubor at 10 kg/ ha (1.5 kg B/ha) gave the highest rice grain yield compared to the control.
• Numerous studies of soy crops treated with Granubor or Solubor have shown increased yields.

Eti Maden IGM is Turkey’s biggest national mining company. It was established in 1935 to take advantage of the country’s vast boron deposits, these holding almost three-quarters of world reserves. The company has since become the world’s leading boron minerals and chemicals producer – and the largest exporter of refined boron products and minerals globally.

Eti Maden set up a joint venture (JV) company with the Finnish mining congolmerate Outokumpu Group in 1982. Known as Ab Etiproducts Oy, this Finland-based JV is responsible for the international marketing and sales of the boron products produced by Eti Maden. The company initially sold into the Scandinavian market, although its marketing and sales activities have expanded greatly over time. Currently, Ab Etiproducts Oy’s exclusive sales area covers the Scandinavian and Baltic countries, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova and the whole of the African continent.

To meet different crop requirements, Eti Maden offers boron products in several different types as part of its agricultural portfolio. Boron can be applied to soils in solid, granular form or in liquid form directly onto plant leaves. Eti Maden’s agricultural products include both quickly dissolving sources of boron, such as Etidot-67 and Boric Acid, and slow-release granular products (2-4mm size) such as Colemanite and Ulexite. Application methods and product selection depend on several external factors, such as soil conditions, rainfall and the target crop.

North America has a healthy micronutrient market. These are often supplied in products alongside sulphur (Fertilizer International 476, p19). The Mosaic Company has led the way with its pioneering sulphur-enhanced mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) product range, MicroEssentials. One of the main formulations offered is the zinc-fortified MicroEssentials SZ (12-40-0 10S 1Zn). This combines 12 percent nitrogen, 40 percent phosphorus and 10 percent sulphur with one percent zinc.

The proprietary Fusion process used in the manufacture of MicroEssentials joins together nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and zinc to create a nutritionally-balanced granule capable of boosting crop yields by 3-7 percent, compared to conventional MAP or DAP.

In 2014, Mosaic also launched a new micronutrient product, Aspire, a boron-enhanced potash fertilizer. This first-of-its-kind premium potash fertilizer (0-0-58-0.5B) combines potassium chloride (58% K2 O) with boron (0.5%). This is uniformly distributed within granules using proprietary Nutriform technology. Aspire is being targeted at the growing micronutrient needs of crops like corn, soybeans, alfalfa and cotton.

US-based Cameron Chemicals has expanded and made significant investments in micronutrients production since its founding in 1986. The company’s original micronutrients plant in Suffolk, Virginia, produces granular micronutrients for the North America market. Its convenient location close to the Port of Virginia also enables it to supply a growing contingent of offshore customers as well.

Cameron expanded its capabilities in 2015 with the purchase of the Reese, Michigan, operations of Advanced Micronutrient Products (AMP). This plant manufactures granular oxy-sulphate micronutrients as well as micronutrient-enriched compound NPK fertilizers. Both these production lines have the flexibility to make single-element, multi-element and proprietary mixes for customers.

Cameron’s investment continued in 2017 with the addition of the Ultra Yield Micronutrients zinc sulphate plant located in Moxee, Washington. The plant produces several grades of zinc sulphate including liquid, granular and powder products.

Together, Cameron, AMP and Ultra Yield Micronutrients, are the largest producer of granular micronutrients in North America. Cameron Chemicals is currently in the process of patenting a new technology – one that it says promises to be a game changer in the US mid-west and beyond.

Nachurs Alpine Solutions (Nachurs) is an industry leader in low salt, high-quality, liquid orthophosphate fertilizer solutions. These can be applied in a variety of ways: in-furrow at planting; in-season foliar application; and via pivot/drip fertigation. In recent years, Nachurs has expanded its product offering to include liquid potassium solutions. These can be used in the same way as liquid orthophosphates, or applied as a side-dressing with nitrogen solutions, in strip tillage or by deep placement.

Nachurs also offers orthophosphate products enriched with EDTA-chelated micronutrients. These need to be compatible with orthophosphate and meet the company’s long-term quality and storage criteria.

Nachurs recommends applying micronutrients with NPK orthophosphates, in-furrow at planting, to promote early root growth and development. This is followed up with a balanced, tank-mixed NPK plus micronutrients formulation, with herbicides/insecticides, in early stages of plant growth.

Nachurs largest volume micronutrient is zinc, followed by manganese, iron, copper, calcium, and magnesium. The company has seen greater interest in boron, molybdenum, and cobalt in recent years due to their effects on plant reproduction, nitrogen efficiency and/or sugar movement.

Since its formation in 1946, Nachurs has pioneered the precision-placed liquid fertilizer market in the US and Canada. It currently owns seven strategically-located and highly-automated manufacturing plants, together with 85-plus distribution terminals across North America.

Nachurs was purchased by Wilbur-Ellis, a leading international distributor of agricultural products, animal nutrients and speciality chemicals, in November 2019. Nachurs will operate as a division within the company and continue to sell its products in the US and Canada under the NACHURS® and ALPINE® liquid fertilizers brands.

Compass Minerals manufactures micronutrient products in dry dispersible powder (DDP) form as part of its popular Wolf Trax DDP Nutrients range. These high-analysis micronutrient products coat NPK granules during blending, and include formulations for boron, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc.

Wolf Trax DDP Nutrients incorporate four proprietary innovations. They use EvenCoat technology to coat every NPK granule in a fertilizer blend with micronutrients. Once applied, this coating does not come off during subsequent handling and transport. This ensures micronutrients are evenly distributed across the field and are available in close proximity to plant roots for early plant uptake.

The patented PlantActiv formulation further improves micronutrient availability by avoiding soil fixation and ensuring that particle size is the optimum for plant uptake. Wolf Trax DDP products also contain micronutrients in multiple forms, ensuring both immediate and longer-term availability, a property Compass Minerals calls DUAL ACTION availability. Finally, Wolf Trax DDP can be used flexibly (FlexUse) and applied in three different ways: as a dry fertilizer coating, mixed with liquid fertilizers, or as a foliar spray.

Compass Minerals also offers Nu-Trax P+. This innovative phosphate-based micronutrient fertilizer contains a custom blend of phosphorus, zinc, manganese and nitrogen and is designed to improve early-season nutrition to crops. Nu-Trax P+ helps plants develop a more fibrous root system, improving their ability to handle environmental stress and helping to maximise yields. Corn Belt growers are using Nu-Trax P+ as a substitute for liquid starter fertilizers.

In North America, cool, wet weather during early plant development can cause zinc deficiencies in corn and other row crops. To combat this, Compass Minerals offers two water-soluble products for in-season zinc deficiencies, ProAcquaZn EDTA® and ProAcquaNourish Zn.® The ProAcqua® product range is designed to support plants under stressful conditions, being formulated with high-quality ingredients and a blend of proprietary adjuvants. Both ProAcqua Zn EDTA and Nourish Zn can be used for in-furrow and foliar applications. Their EDTA chemistry protects the zinc from tie-up – both in the soil and in the mix tank.

In 2019, Compass Minerals launched Rocket Seeds™ , a portfolio of dry and liquid nutrient products for seeds. This new portfolio is designed to increase early root growth and accelerate plant vigour. Rocket Seeds™ , by providing proper nutrition to the seed, helps plants withstand early season cold and water stress while they progress through the vegetative growth stage.

Rocket Seeds™ products can be used on corn, soybeans, wheat and other major row crops. Two Rocket Seeds™ products, PMZ Dry and Moly Dry, both address zinc deficiencies in plants. The patent-pending formulation of PMZ Dry (1-10-0; 8% Zn, 2% Mn) helps create more extensive and well-developed root systems. While Moly Dry (1-5-0; 1.5% Fe, 3% Mn, 3% Mo, 10.5% Zn), in contrast, is an ideal formulation for early soybean and legume growth.

Norway’s Yara International occupies a leading position in the overlapping water soluble fertilizer, fertigation and micronutrient product markets. Its YaraTera KRISTALON water-soluble NPK product range contains a full spectrum of micronutrients in chelated form. These are suitable for drip, tape, sprinkler or pivot irrigation systems. The company’s YaraTera REXO-LIN product range also incorporates fully water-soluble chelated micronutrients. These are suited for soil, foliar and hydroponic applications, and ensure micronutrients remain available to crops, without the risk of precipitation or fixation. A third chelated micronutrient product, YaraTera TENSO COCKTAIL is a wettable powder that can be tank mixed with other water-soluble fertilizers to address micronutrient deficiencies in hydroponic and fertigation applications.

A range of micronutrient formulations are also offered as part of the company’s YaraVita product range. The foliar fertilizer YaraVita BEETRAC, for example, is designed to prevent micronutrient deficiencies in sugar beet (Fertilizer International 467, p24) and contains manganese, sulphur, boron, copper and zinc. YaraVita BRASSITREL PRO, a liquid suspension for foliar application to oilseed rape (Fertilizer International 477, p15), brassicas (Fertilizer International 472, p40) and legumes, contains manganese, magnesium, boron and molybdenum.

Two other foliar liquid suspension products, YaraVita BUD BUILDER FL (Mg, Zn, N, B and P) and YaraVita GRAMITREL (N, Mn, Mg, Cu and Zn) are targeted at soft fruit flowering and cereal yields, respectively. A formulation of the YaraMila NPKS fertilizer incorporating magnesium, sulphur, boron, iron, manganese and molybdenum is also available in either prill or granule form.

UK headquartered OMEX Agrifluids Limited is a large international liquid fertilizer producer, with manufacturing sites in the UK, the US and Canada. The company offers a comprehensive and market-leading range of high-performance fertilizer coatings and liquid foliar fertilizers. These are designed to deliver essential micronutrients in a timely, accurate and efficient manner.

Products are delivered domestically and exported globally to over 60 countries including China, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

The availability of micronutrients in the soil during the first 30 days can play a critical role in preserving a crop’s final yield potential, according to OMEX. Therefore, getting the growing season off to a strong start, with a better distribution of micronutrients in the field, will ensure benefits at harvest.

OMEX offers the MDS range of concentrated liquid suspensions. These are designed to coat dry fertilizers, including NPKS blends and single products – such as urea and DAP/MAP – for an even distribution of micronutrients across the field. Incorporating Micronutrient Delivery System (MDS) Technology, MDS ™ suspension coats each fertilizer granule, helping to reduce dust during mixing and drying quickly, leaving the blender clean.

MDS products offer a cost-effective, efficient option for applying micronutrients to problematic soil types – such as high pH soils, soils with high concentrations of organic matter and sandy soils – and for other conditions which can restrict the availability of nutrients. Various grades of single element micronutrients and micronutrient mixtures are available to meet the specific needs of the crop and local conditions – with applications depending on the crop, soil deficiencies and fertilizer application rate.

Following the early stages of development, any nutrient deficiencies that occur in the crop can be identified using OMEX’s Scientific Agricultural Partnership (SAP) ® laboratories in King’s Lynn, and then addressed using OMEX’s extensive range of foliar fertilizers. Many of these have been reformulated to incorporate Enhanced Bio-Availability (EBA) technology to optimise foliar uptake and nutrient assimilation. A silicon based non-ionic wetting and spreading agent, SW7, can also be used to improve the foliar uptake of nutrients, particularly for those crops where it is difficult to achieve good coverage because of waxy or tight layers of leaves or dense canopies.

Examples of OMEX’s foliar range include:

• Bio 20 is a seaweed-based bio-stimulant containing macro- and micro-nutrients. These combine to provide excellent root growth, and later top growth, leading to improved flower/fruit set and higher tolerance to environmental stress
• CalMax contains calcium together with nitrogen, magnesium and micronutrients plus amino acids. It corrects calcium deficiency, improves fruit set, increases yield and help improves firmness, storability, colour and finish in a range of fruits and vegetables.
• Foliar Boron containing 15 percent boron alongside nitrogen and is used to increase pollen development and maximise fruit set.
• Kingfol is a range of single-element micronutrient formulations designed to correct specific deficiencies, including Mg, S, Zn, Cu and Mn.
• Micromax is a water-soluble suspension with a balanced combination of micronutrients, magnesium and sulphur that promotes crop yield and quality in most agricultural and horticultural crops. Applications provide the crop with a balanced range of micronutrients which can be readily absorbed through the leaves or the roots.

An attractive global market

Although relatively small in volume terms, higher value and better margins are providing micronutrient products with a very attractive global market – one which looks set to grow at a fast rate for the foreseeable future.

The higher performance of chelated micronutrients, relative to their non-chelated counterparts, means they can be sold at a higher price in the market. The nutrient and water efficiency of fertigation – a key market for chelated micronutrients – also generates enough cost savings to support this price differential.

In North America, there is a view that any softening in the pricing of N, P and K macronutrients should leave more farm dollars available for spending on micronutrients. If true, higher zinc and sulphur applications to corn and manganese applications to soybeans are likely to be the main beneficiaries.

References

1. Integer, 2016. The Future of Specialty Fertilizers in the GCC. Integer Research, ICIS and the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA).

2. Rams & Co, 2019. Assessment of the global market for special products. IFA Annual Conference, 11-13 June, Montreal, Canada. Prepared for IFA.

Further reading

de Valença, A. & Bake, A., 2016. Micronutrient management for improving harvests, human nutrition, and the environment. Background document for stakeholder workshop on micronutrients. Wageningen University, Netherlands.

Cakmak, I. & Kutman, U., 2018. Agronomic bio-fortification of cereals with zinc: a review. European Journal of Soil Science, 69, 172-180.