Custom Trace Element Fertiliser- A One-Hit Cure

Trace element deficiencies are common in Australian soils, but not every soil is deficient in the same composition of nutrients. The key trace elements include:

·       iron (Fe)

·       manganese (Mn)

·       zinc (Zn)

·       copper (Cu)

·       boron (B)

·       molybdenum (Mo)

In most cases, only some of these elements will be deficient.

Symptoms of trace element deficiencies are usually seen in the youngest emerging leaves of plants. Soil and plant foliage analyses are used to identify nutrient deficiencies and determine the extent of each deficiency.

Usually, an off-the-shelf blended trace element mix is added to try and amend deficiencies. However, these products usually contain elements such as iron (iron sulfate) which are cheap and often not required to improve the soil. Alternatively, the required individual trace elements can be applied separately, but this can be a costly, laborious and inefficient process.

The more satisfactory alternative is to use SESL Australia's "Custom trace element" service whereby SESL Australia uses your test results to make a blend of trace elements exactly suited to your soil. No wastage and a one-hit cure that can last many years.

An example is shown in the photographs below. On the left is a close-up of a severely deficient Banksia at a plantation showing discolouration and distortion of young foliage from multiple trace element deficiency including manganese, zinc, copper, boron and molybdenum. Iron was not deficient.  On the right is the same Banksia plantation 18 months later. During the 18 months a custom-made trace element mix was applied to the Banksias. Not only was the new growth

completely cured of any trace element deficiency symptoms, the yield increased over 3 times as a result of the application of the custom-made trace element fertiliser.