Zinc and Crops

Zinc is essential for the normal healthy growth and reproduction of plants, animals and humans. When the supply of zinc to plants is inadequate, crop yields are reduced and the quality of crop products is often impaired.

Zinc is required in small but critical concentrations to allow several key plant physiological pathways to function normally. These pathways have important roles in:

• Photosyhthesis and sugar formation
• Protein synthesis
• Fertility and seed production
• Growth regulation
• Defense against disease.

Where zinc is deficient these physiological functions will be impaired and the health and productivity of the plants will be adversely affected, resulting in lower yields (or even crop failure) and in poorer quality crop products.

Very many plant species are affected by zinc deficiency on a wide range of soil types in most agricultural regions of the world. The major staple crops (rice, wheat, maize and sorghum) are all affected by deficiency together with many different fruit, vegetables and other types of crops including cotton and flax.

Yield losses of 40% or more can have a major economic impact on the farmer due to the reduced income. The economic impact is even higher when expensive inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals and irrigation water are involved. In developing countries, the cost from significant shortfalls in food production can also be considerable because increased imports of grains will often be required to make up this shortfall.

Zinc deficiency can be identified by soil testing or the analysis of the crop plants (usually leaves) and can be easily corrected by treating the deficient soils and crops with zinc fertilizers.

Further Information Resources for Zinc and Crop Nutrition
	Zinc and Crop Nutrition http://www.zinc-crops.org This is a dedicated website sponsored by the International Zinc Association as a contribution to advancing knowledge about the importance of zinc to Crop Nutrition. The site maintains a comprehensive collection of documents and links relating to zincand crop nutrition.