Have you ever wondered how plants get the right amount of nutrients from fertilizers? That’s because the fertilizers are chelated with some agents. These chelating agents are coated onto the fertilizers and they are released slowly into the soil over time.
You know the chelating agents, but what are they? Which industrial chemicals are considered as the chelating chemicals in the fertilizer industry? In this post, we are explaining everything about the chelating agents.
Chelating agents are chemicals that bind to metal ions, making them more available for plant uptake. These agents prevent nutrients from forming insoluble compounds that plants cannot absorb. In simple terms, chelating agents help keep nutrients in a form that plants can use.
Different Chelating Chemicals Used in Fertilizers
#1 – EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)
EDTA is one of the most common chelating agents used in fertilizers. It is highly effective in binding with various metal ions such as iron, copper, manganese, and zinc. This agent is widely used due to its stability and efficiency.
EDTA works well in a range of soil pH levels, making it versatile for different types of crops. It ensures that the essential nutrients remain soluble and available for plant uptake, leading to improved plant health.
#2 – DTPA (Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid)
DTPA is another widely used chelating agent. It is effective in binding iron and is often used in soils with higher pH levels where iron availability can be a problem. As this binds with the iron molecules and provides the iron directly to the plants, it helps reduce the chances of iron deficiency. Also, this prevents the iron molecules from reacting with the soil.
#3 – NTA (Nitrilotriacetic Acid)
NTA is another chelating agent used in fertilizers and is effective in binding with calcium, magnesium, and other trace elements. NTA is used in specific applications where these nutrients need to be made more available to plants.
Final Words
Chelating agents play an imperative role in modern agriculture by enhancing nutrient availability for plants. EDTA, DTPA, and NTA are some of the key chelating agents used in fertilizers. Each of these agents has unique properties that make them suitable for different soil types and crop needs. In this post, we tried our best to explain everything about these industrial chemicals from ACI Industrial Organic used in agriculture and gardening. If you have some questions, make sure to ask them in the comments section below.
