About This Project

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Studies have already shown that using non-chelated metals are absorbed more readily by the leaves of the plants, however, using the same metals in chelated form has shown better absorption through the root. Unfortunately these rates have only been determined during the short-term, and since chelators break down in the presence of certain environmental conditions, long-term advantages seem to be little, if any. Chelators are also used to extract toxic metals like lead out of the soil in a process called phytoextraction, so why use something that can poison you or your garden with these toxins. Long before chelators were used, plants still obtained nutrients from the soil, meaning there are other ways to obtain the minerals needed, possibly at a much safer and more cost effective way.

What is the significance of this project?

Fertilizers essentially help grow the world's food and clothes. Without them, agriculture would not be what it is today; higher yields all thanks to science. Because chelators are not cheap, creating a better fertilizer would help many save large amounts of money on fertilizer; money that could be spent elsewhere. For both the home gardener and the farmer, getting rid of a chemical that at high levels can be toxic, is just better for the environment as a whole. By eliminating accidental phytoextraction, we can grow a healthier tomato or ear of corn. By allowing the soil microbial community to remain intact and uninterrupted, synergism between plants and bacteria could increase producing higher and better yields. All of this because of the elimination of a single chemical.

What are the goals of the project?

Initial goals will be to show that plants can survive off of micronutrients that are not chelated. Since the primary literature shows that chelated minerals are absorbed by the root of the plant at higher rates in the short-term, the second goal would be to show that the plant can absorb at least the same amount of non-chelated micronutrients in the long-term (at most, six months). If time and funding remains, other goals include looking at differences between soil microbes and their interactions toward chelators, and if this disrupts bacterial-plant interactions, and if accidental phytoextraction can be greatly reduced.