Zn Check: Revolutionizing Plant Nutrition with Amino Acid-based Zinc Chelation

Abstract

Zinc plays a vital role in plant growth and development, impacting essential physiological processes such as cell division, nitrogen, carbohydrate metabolism and chloroplast development. However, zinc deficiency poses a significant challenge in agriculture, particularly in crops grown on calcareous soils. Traditional zinc fertilizers, like Zn EDTA, face limitations in alkaline soils, prompting the need for innovative solutions. This study introduces an amino acid-based chelating agent, Zinc Check, synthesized to address these challenges effectively. The research demonstrates the stability and efficacy of Zinc Check across diverse soil conditions, ensuring zinc availability to plants. Through various analytical techniques and pot trials with Pak choi plants, the study confirms the effectiveness of Zinc Check in promoting plant growth and chlorophyll synthesis, surpassing the performance of conventional zinc fertilizers. Moreover, the investigation explores the pH tolerance of Zinc Check, highlighting its stability across a wide pH range. Overall, this study underscores the importance of innovative solutions like Zinc Check in addressing zinc deficiency and enhancing agricultural productivity, contributing to global food security efforts.