Oasis Agri Prescription Blended Trace Elements Nutrients and Functions – Part 2: Cobalt

COBALT (Co)

Functions in Plants and Soil:

• Nitrogen fixation:

In legumes, cobalt is essential in assisting rhizobia bacteria in converting atmospheric nitrogen into plant available nitrogen.

• Stress Tolerance:

May assist in stress tolerance to drought and salinity, this is thought to occur through hormonal regulation.

• Enzyme Activation:

Cobalt is a cofactor in various enzymes which are involved in various metabolic reactions, including photosynthesis rate, production of nucleic acids, carbohydrates, fats, sugars, etc.

• Hormone Modulation:

Promotes growth hormones such as cytokinin and auxin which assists with cell division, growth and development. Cobalt can also suppress ethylene, a stress hormone.

• Growth Promotion:

Through a combination of the functions mentioned, cobalt promotes overall growth.

Deficiency Symptoms in Plants:

Note: Deficiency symptoms can present differently depending on the crop species

• Plant Growth:

Stunted or slow growth.

• Leaf Symptoms:
  • Interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves.
  • Severe deficiency can result in complete yellowing, necrotic brown spots and leaf termination.
• Flowers and Fruit:
  • Lower fruit production.
  • Poor seed yields.
• Roots:
  • Poor nodulation in legumes.
  • Reduced root growth with smaller root volume.
• Crop Specific:
  • Legumes Specific Symptoms:
    • Poor nodulation.
    • Small leaves and pods.
    • Reduced seed production.
  • Non-Legume Symptoms:
    • Slow growth.
    • Leaf discolouration – chlorosis (occasionally reddening of leaves).

Oasis Agri provides prescription blends of trace elements, based on soil and leaf analysis results. These trace element blends are available in both granular form and as water-soluble powders, providing a unique solution to addressing trace elements in soils.

Contact info@oasis-agri.com for more information.