Micronutrient availability can be a hidden limiting factor in permanent crop production, even when overall fertility programs appear well balanced. In today’s Agronomic Minute, Dylan Rogers, Sales Account Manager for AgroLiquid, discussed how growers can use soil and foliar strategies to better unlock micronutrients and improve uptake efficiency.
Rogers emphasized that everything starts with data. “The most important thing…is compiling your soil samples and really diving deep into them,” he said. Understanding what’s happening in the soil, and how nutrients interact with one another, helps explain why certain elements may be deficient even when soil test levels look adequate.
Those nutrient relationships are especially important when it comes to micronutrients. In permanent crops, zinc is often top of mind. Rogers noted that high phosphorus levels in the soil can significantly limit zinc uptake into the tree. While phosphorus may be essential, excessive levels can create antagonistic relationships that prevent zinc from being absorbed efficiently.
Beyond nutrient interactions, cultural practices and rootstock selection can also affect micronutrient uptake. Some rootstocks are naturally poor miners of zinc, making it more difficult for trees to access what’s available in the soil. In those situations, simply increasing soil-applied zinc may not solve the problem.
Rogers suggested that shifting zinc applications into foliar programs can often be a more effective approach. Foliar sprays bypass soil-related tie-up issues and deliver micronutrients directly into the plant when uptake is most efficient. Adjusting where and how zinc is applied, rather than just increasing rates, can help correct deficiencies more reliably.
By closely evaluating soil test data, understanding nutrient relationships, and using foliar applications strategically, growers can improve micronutrient availability without overapplying fertilizer. These targeted adjustments support healthier trees, better nutrient balance, and more consistent performance across permanent cropping systems.
For more information on micronutrient management strategies, visit AgroLiquid.com.