UNDERSTANDING NPK + TE
We emphasize the importance of understanding NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) and trace elements (TE) for effective plant nutrition. Our products, including Seedling Booster, NitroBoost, and Completo+, are formulated to provide the ideal balance of nutrients for plants at every growth stage.
With a focus on proper usage and application, we ensure that your plants receive the essential nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
NUTRIENT
FUNCTIONAL VALUE
NUTRIENT
FUNCTIONAL VALUE
NITROGEN
(1-6%)*
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Primary building block for amino acids, protein, protoplasm and chlorophyll
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Critical for rapid shoot growth, bud vigor, flower differentiation and fruit set
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Drives tillering, stem and leaf area development
COPPER
(2-50ppm)*
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Essential for flowering, heading and overall crop development
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Promotes grain filling in cereals and biomass translocation from the stem
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Critical for photosynthesis
PHOSPHORUS
(0.05-1%)*
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Restores the vital energy production of the plant to increase root and shoot growth
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Promotes roots, flower and seed development
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Hastens maturity and fruit development
MANGANESE
(5-500ppm)*
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Aids in Nitrogen utilization and assimilation essential for growth
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Stimulates enzymes required in photosynthesis
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Aids in the absorption of Phosphorus and sythesis of Chlorophyll
POTASSIUM
(0.3-6%)*
-
Promotes biosynthesis of sugars and starches leading to higher yield and brix
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Restores vital crop water balance
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Regulates stomatal opening to improve photosynthesis
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Enzymatic activator for biomass production
BORON
(2-75ppm)*
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Aids in Calcium translocation
-
(roots, cell wall)
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Shoot lignification, Root growth
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Transport of water, potassium and sulfur
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Sugar translocation to fruit
IRON
(10-1000ppm)*
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Helps in chlorophyll formation giving the plant oxygenated and healthy green color
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Assists in plant energy production
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Helps reduce nitrates and sulfates
ZINC
(5-100ppm)*
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Synthesis of proteins and auxins
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Calcium translocation
-
Regulates nutrient uptake
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Early root growth, Rapid crop response
-
Uniform maturity
*Approximate Concentration in Plants Plant Analysis - A Diagnostic Tool, University of Wisconsin, Bulletin A2289 Table 27, p.120, Agronomy Handbook, Don Ankerman, B.S. & Richard Large, Ph.D.
Role of Trace Elements, Acids, Vitamins, Carbohydratesm ETC
HUMIC ACID
-
Restores soil structure
-
Promotes nutrient absorption in the root zone
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Improves the population of natural beneficial breeding in the soil
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Pre-dissolved liquid form efficiently restores critical carbon-nitrogen balance compared to dry granules
CELLULOSE
-
A complex carbohydrate that is an essential component of plant cell walls
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Helps in healing crop injury or plant "wounds" due to cuttings and transplanting procedures
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Helps plant cuttings and transplant seedlings retain their moisture status, minimizing "embolism" (formation of air bubbles in the vascular tissues that cause wilting due to breakage in the water column from the rooting medium or nursery)
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Acts as a food source for beneficial bacteria in the soil
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Retains calcium in the soil, broken down through a biological process to provide carbon into the root zone
VITAMINS RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2) PYRIDOXINE (VITAMIN B6)
-
Acts as antioxidants to promote the synthesis of enzymes and growth hormones
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Promotes root development
-
Eliminates stress-induced damage to plant cell membranes during environmental stress (drought, freezing conditions, or flooding)
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Improves plant growth and development by regulating carbohydrate synthesis
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Activates plant enzymes to promote root zone and seedling robustnes
ALANINE
-
Increases synthesis of chlorophyll, the green pigmentation in plant leaves
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Regulates the opening of stomata for efficient nutrient absorption and drought tolerance
ARGININE
-
Enhances root development and synthesis of polyamines that improve resistance to salinity stress
ASPARTIC ACID
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Enhances seed germination and synthesis of proteins to increase resistance to disease
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Provides nitrogen during stressful growth periods
CYSTEINE
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Amino acids containing sulfur that help maintain cell functions
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Acts as an antioxidant for better resistance to pests and disease challenges
ASH
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Reflects the presence of minute quantities of trace minerals that are vital for plant growth and development
GLUTAMIE ACID
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Improves seed germination for strong early crop establishment
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Improves chlorophyll production
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Activates defense mechanisms against pests and diseases
HISTIDINE
-
Regulates the opening of stomata for better absorption of nutrients in leaves
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Provides carbon skeleton for hormone precursors that promote seedling vigor
ISOLEUCINE & LEUCINE
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Improves resistance to salinity stress
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Increases pollen viability to enhance flowering ability
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Enhances germination development to facilitate seedling growth
LYSINE
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Enhances chlorophyll synthesis and plant leaf nutrient absorption
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Increases tolerance to drought stress
METHIONINE
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Enhances root growth for stronger crop establishment and vigor
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Regulates stomatal movement for efficient absorption of nutrients in plant leaf tissue
PHENYLALANINE
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Facilitates the production of defense compounds and lignin to combat stress caused by drought, frost, cold weather, as well as pest and disease challenges to plants
SERINE
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Enhances the formation of humic compounds that influence successful pollination and stress tolerance
THREONINE
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Enhances the humification process, which helps improve tolerance to insect-pest damage
TRYPTOPHAIN
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An auxin precursor that helps improve the synthesis of aromatic compounds, enhancing the quality of grains, flowers, and fruits
TYROSINE
-
Increases tolerance to drought stress
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Increases pollen germination
VALINE
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Enhances seed germination and seedling vigor
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Improves tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress conditions
PROLINE
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Provides nitrogen and improves chlorophyll retention during biotic and abiotic stress periods
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Helps plants survive drought and high-temperature stress periods
GLYCINE
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A natural chelator that favors new growth
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Helps in the synthesis of gibberellins responsible for initiating seed germination
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Stimulates growth, making plants taller and more robust
Why Smart-Release Foliar Fertilizers?
The Nitrogen Cycle
Smart Release Foliar Fertilizers, like SEEDLING BOOSTER, NITROBOOST, and COMPLETO+, offer several advantages in supporting the Nitrogen Cycle. Since they are absorbed directly through the leaves, they provide plants with an immediate source of nitrogen and other essential nutrients, bypassing the soil and roots. This rapid absorption is especially useful when plants are in critical growth stages or under stress.
What happens to applied Nitrogen?
With granular fertilizers, only 30-45% of applied nitrogen is typically absorbed by plants, while the rest may be lost to leaching, denitrification, or become part of soil organic nitrogen. Unlike granular fertilizers, Smart Release Foliar Fertilizers, like SEEDLING BOOSTER, NITROBOOST, and COMPLETO+, provide immediate nutrient absorption directly through the leaves. This ensures faster and more efficient uptake, reducing losses and enhancing plant growth.
Nutrient Availability VS pH Levels
Maintaining the proper pH levels is essential for optimal nutrient uptake and plant health. When soil pH is too high or too low, plants may struggle to absorb key nutrients, leading to poor growth. Granular fertilizers can sometimes contribute to soil acidity over time, affecting pH levels. However, Smart Release Foliar Fertilizers, like SEEDLING BOOSTER, NITROBOOST, and COMPLETO+, offer a solution by providing nutrients directly through the leaves, reducing the impact on soil pH. This helps avoid the potential acidity issues caused by granular fertilizers, ensuring healthier, more productive plants with optimal nutrient availability.
CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY (CEC)
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) is a key factor in soil fertility, as it measures the soil's ability to hold and exchange positively charged ions (cations) like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and ammonium. The higher the CEC, the more nutrients the soil can retain, making them available for plant uptake. Proper soil pH and good CEC are crucial for healthy plant growth. Smart Release Foliar Fertilizers, like SEEDLING BOOSTER, NITROBOOST, and COMPLETO+, help by delivering nutrients directly to the plants through the leaves, reducing the dependency on soil for nutrient uptake. This minimizes the strain on CEC and improves overall nutrient efficiency, ensuring plants get the right nutrients without altering soil structure or pH.
Xylem and Phloem
SEEDLING BOOSTER, NITROBOOST, and COMPLETO+, are absorbed directly through the leaves, bypassing the soil and roots. This method allows nutrients to be quickly transported through the phloem to support immediate growth and development. Since foliar fertilizers work through the plant’s vascular system, they help optimize nutrient uptake and efficiency, ensuring plants receive essential nutrients directly where they are needed for healthy growth and stronger yields.
Xylem and phloem are two types of vascular tissues in plants responsible for transporting water, nutrients, and sugars.
Xylem: This tissue transports water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. It plays a crucial role in maintaining hydration and delivering essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the plant’s leaves and stems.
Phloem: This tissue carries the sugars and other products of photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant for growth and energy storage.
Together, the xylem and phloem form a vital system that allows plants to transport water, nutrients, and sugars to sustain life processes. While the xylem is crucial for providing water and essential minerals, the phloem ensures that the plant’s energy needs are met by distributing sugars and other compounds.
Smart Release Foliar Fertilizers complement this system by providing nutrients directly to the leaves, ensuring rapid uptake and efficient distribution through the plant’s vascular system. This can result in healthier, faster-growing plants with optimized nutrient use.
Plant Health Nutrition: Stomata Absorption Mechanism
The stomata are tiny pores found on the surface of plant leaves and stems that play a crucial role in gas exchange and water regulation. They are essential for plant health, as they allow carbon dioxide (CO2) to enter for photosynthesis and enable the release of oxygen (O2) and water vapor through a process called transpiration.
The stomata’s ability to regulate the absorption of water, gases, and nutrients directly impacts the plant’s overall health. When plants receive immediate access to essential nutrients through foliar absorption, it can lead to faster recovery from nutrient deficiencies, healthier growth, and enhanced resilience against environmental stressors like drought or disease.
By utilizing Smart Release Foliar Fertilizers, plants get a rapid nutrient boost directly through the stomata, ensuring better nutrient absorption and promoting overall plant health without the dependency on soil conditions. This method is especially effective during critical growth stages, ensuring plants thrive and develop optimally.
