For growers living in regions with high pH or alkaline soils, dealing with yellowing leaves and stunted crops is difficult. This occurrence, known as Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC), can negatively affect a season’s hard work. While iron may be present in the soil, alkaline conditions chemically lock it up, making it insoluble and inaccessible to the plant.
To help fix this issue between soil potential and plant uptake, AgroLiquid offers microLink Iron HPH. This specialized nutrient solution is engineered specifically to work where traditional iron supplements fail, so crops remain productive even in challenging environments.
IDC
The impact of iron deficiency is most visible in soybeans. IDC limits yield in soybean fields in the northern and western Corn Belt, including western Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa and other states. In fact, according to a 2019 U.S. report, soybean IDC resulted in annual yield losses totaling $260 million.
This loss occurs because iron is a component of chlorophyll synthesis. Without it, the plant can’t perform photosynthesis, leading to fewer bushels at harvest. While many growers attempt to compensate with generic iron salts, these often become insoluble immediately upon contact with high-carbonate soils.
Nutriq technology
What sets microLink Iron HPH apart from standard fertilizers is AgroLiquid’s proprietary Nutriq technology. In high pH environments, iron typically reacts with oxygen or carbonates to form solids that roots can’t absorb. Nutriq technology protects the iron molecule, keeping it in a stable and plant-available form no matter the soil chemistry.
This technology also simplifies application. A complication in micronutrient application is tank mix incompatibility, which is the tendency for products to clump or settle when they’re mixed.
Since microLink Iron HPH is designed for high compatibility, it can be integrated with:
• Macronutrients: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) programs
• Other micronutrients: Tailored blends for specific soil needs
• Crop protection: Co-application with herbicides or fungicides to reduce the number of passes through the field
Benefits for the high plains and beyond
Using microLink Iron HPH offers three main advantages for growers:
1. Iron uptake: By delivering iron that remains mobile in the soil, the product directly fights IDC, fueling the production of chlorophyll and improving plant health.
2. Efficiency: Because the formulation is stable, growers can mix it with a wide range of inputs. This flexibility saves valuable time and reduces fuel costs by minimizing trips across the field.
3. Flexible application: Whether applied in-furrow or as a foliar treatment, the product adapts to the grower’s existing equipment and schedule.
(While microLink Iron HPH is highly compatible, always perform a jar test and read the label instructions before mixing.)
Soil health
Managing IDC is a complex challenge influenced by soil moisture, carbonate levels, and crop variety. Successful management requires a strategy: selecting IDC-tolerant varieties, managing soil moisture, and using specialized iron delivery systems like microLink Iron HPH.
Why AgroLiquid
As growers, we can’t afford to let potential revenue disappear into alkaline soils. AgroLiquid’s microLink Iron HPH provides a user-friendly answer to the iron accessibility issue. By combining Nutriq technology with an understanding of plant physiology, high pH soils no longer have to mean low yield potential. Learn more – contact AgroLiquid today.
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