Role in the plant: Zinc is required in a large number of enzymes and plays an essential role in DNA transcription.
Deficiency symptoms: most common in cereal crops and legumes. Gives a grey leaf appearance. Another typical symptom of zinc deficiency is the stunted growth of leaves, commonly known as "little leaf" and is caused by the oxidative degradation of the growth hormone auxin.
Toxicity symptoms: Not known
Soils that have Zinc most prevalent: deficiencies are common in Zimbabwean soils. The availability of Zinc is increased at low soil pH`s.
Management remarks: An important nutrient component to cereals and legumes. Consider using a fertilizer blend containing Zn, or a foliar fertilizer at critical growth stages. Enquire with a Cropserve Agronomist for more information.