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Chelated molybdenum can be defined as a type of molybdenum supplement for plants that is mostly used by attaching the molybdenum ions to a chelating agent. In simpler terms, chelated molybdenum is a nutritional supplement for crops and plants that is more easily used by the plant. It exists in different types that include the following.
This is a natural highly soluble chelate that significantly increases the plants’ absorption of molybdenum. Molybdenum amino acid chelate is highly effective in raising the crops’ level of molybdenum.
This highly soluble synthetic chelate increases molybdenum absorption. It is effective in correcting molybdenum deficiencies in plants.
This highly soluble synthetic chelate increases molybdenum absorption. Just like ferrous chelate, it is also effective in correcting molybdenum deficiencies.
This highly soluble synthetic chelate as well increases molybdenum absorption. The only difference is that it has less effectiveness in raising crop molybdenum levels compared to amino acid chelate.
In most cases, durability durability refers to how long the product will last before it’s finished or how long it can survive harsh conditions. With that in mind, here is what makes chelated molybdenum durable in both aspects.
Amo acid chelates increase molybdenum absorption by up to 90%. This means the plant will fully absorb the nutrients and get the maximum benefit from them. Ferrous, copper and iron molybdenum chelates also increase the absorption rates significantly. When the absorption rates are higher, the plants are able to thrive better even in harsh conditions.
Due to high solubility, chelated molybdenum can easily penetrate the plant membranes, which guarantees almost 100% absorption. However, the presence of natural or synthetic chelators in the soil can also improve the retention of molybdenum. The chelator forms a stable metal–ligand complex that binds molybdenum in a form that is not easily washed away by irrigation or rain.
Chelated molybdenum is resistant to leaching due to its high stability constant. That is the reason it performs well in sandy and low–organic soils that are highly prone to leaching. It stays in the soil for longer, providing nutrients to the crops for longer periods. In addition, chelated molybdenum is well suited to low–anion exchange capacity soil. Low–anion exchange soil has a low nutrient retention capacity.
Since chelated molybdenum is effective in soils with low–water availability, it helps crops withstand stress due to drought. When applied in deficient soils, it leads to better establishment and growth of the crops under high deficiency.
The primary use of chelated molybdenum is to assist plants in improving their fertility and nutritional value. Farmers apply chelated molybdenum to booming crops to provide the crops with molybdenum, which helps the crops absorb nutrients. Just like they assist in boosting the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorous and calcium. If possible, farmers apply chelates with micronutrient chelates to boost absorption further.
Chelated molybdenum is often added to fertilizers to create molybdenum deficiency correcting fertilizers. Farmers apply such fertilizers in soils that are deficient in molybdenum. How do they know that the soil is deficient in molybdenum? For one, testing the soil provides direct evidence. Farmers that don’t test their soil use crop symptoms to identify deficiency. Molybdenum works with copper to form a catalyst for nitrate reductase, which helps in the absorption of nitrogen.
Thus far, the uses have been focused on how chelated molybdenum affects the crops’ yield. Well, chelates also affect crop quality. When chelated molybdenum is added to fertilizers spent on caryopses, it improves their size, color and taste. This is mostly the case with caryopses that are yellowish, purplish or blackish as a result of the high sulfur amino acid concentration.
Some chelated molybdenum types have high anion affinity, meaning they can displace phosphates and sulfates in acidic soils. This leads to the release of metal–ligand complexes in nutrient forms, which increases the cation concentration in the soil. High cation concentration has been found to boost nutrient retention significantly.
There are three main factors to consider when choosing chelated molybdenum for sale.
Stay away from highly soluble molybdenum sources like ammonium molybdate, sodium molybdate and molybdosilicic acid if targeting alkaline soils. These highly soluble molybdenum sources have high affinity for molybdenum and tend to leach them away in alkaline soils. Instead, go for low–soluble sources like molybdite, ferberite, wodginite and huebnerite.
Soils around moringa tree farms are usually deficient in molybdenum due to high absorption by the tree. If targeting such soils, test the nitrogen content to know which molybdenum source to use. High nitrogen levels have been found to diminish the effectiveness of chelates. Add ammonium molybdate and sodium molybdate only when nitrogen levels are low.
Lastly, consider the micro nutrient absorption needs of the crops. Chelates like iron chelate and manganese chelate boost the absorption of molybdenum. This makes them suitable for crops that require high amounts of molybdenum for proper growth and development like banana and coffee. On the other hand, moringa trees are high in copper and amino acids. Therefore, copper chelate and amino acid chelates are best for coffee farms.
Storing chelated molybdenum correctly is essential to maintain its effectiveness. Here are some tips to consider.
Store chelated molybdenum in its original container to prevent contamination and also know the product. The container must be airtight to prevent exposure to moisture, which can affect solubility. Store it in a cool and dry location away from direct sunlight. Exposure to sunlight can break down the chelating agents and reduce effectiveness.
Since chelated molybdenum is often supplied in bulk to farming businesses, invest in suitable storage containers such as airtight drums, bins or silos. Maintain a stable temperature in storage areas. Ideally, keep the temperature between 15°C to 25°C. In addition, be sure to rotate stock to ensure older products are used first. This practice, known as first in first out (FIFO), helps prevent the use of expired or degraded products on the farms.
Lastly, monitor the condition of the stored chelated molybdenum regularly. Inspect for signs of clumping, discoloration or unusual odors, which may indicate degradation or contamination.
A1: Chelated molybdenum is not the same as molybdate. Molybdate is a molybdenum ion that is commonly used as a micronutrient in crop molybdenum fertilizers. On the other hand, chelated molybdenum has a chelating agent, such as iron amino acid chelate, copper chelate or ferrous chelate, which increases its absorption by the plant.
A2: Chelating agents are large, anionic, or negatively charged molecules that bind metal ions such as copper, iron, manganese, zinc, and molybdenum. They function like ligands to form stable metal–ligand complexes. This increases the solubility and bioavailability of the metal ion in chelated micronutrient fertilizers.
A3: Farmers targeting deficient soils and crops that require high amounts of molybdenum for proper growth and development need chelated molybdenum. Such crops include legumes like peas and soybeans. Other crops that need chelated molybdenum include alfalfa, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower and mustard.
A4: Yes, chelation affects the effectiveness of molybdenum by improving its absorption, especially on alkaline and sandy soils. Highly soluble chelates like ammonium molybdate and sodium molybdate are effective on low pH and clay–loam soils. On the other hand, low–soluble chelating agents like ferberite, huebnerite and molybdosilic acid are effective on high pH and sandy soils.
A5: Yes, chelated molybdenum can expire due to factors such as exposure to moisture, heat, and light, which can degrade the chelating agents. The expiration date typically ranges from 1 to 3 years. To prevent degradation, store chelated molybdenum in a cool, dry, and dark environment in an airtight container.
