Plants need phosphorus. They also need iron. When you mix the two, they form iron phosphate which is all but insoluble and largely unavailable to plants.
When combined with a chelating agent- EDTA, EDDHA, or even relatively simple moities like citrate- iron remains soluble, and yet does not form insoluble iron phosphate. This facilitates nutrient uptake through the roots.
Other elements may be supplied as chelates, but iron is the most critical of these. Different chelates have better solubility depending upon pH. View Image Admittedly, we're only worried about a very small range relative to that chart, but you get the idea.
A deficiency of other micronutrients is less likely to occur due to precipitation; it is possible to use the correct salts to optimize solubility of elements like manganese, molybdenum, and so forth. In that context, it is largely sufficiency (just adding enough of the element in a soluble form), rather than chelation, that makes the difference. There are exceptions, but none that are likely within the hydroponic environment leap to mind.
What makes a high quality salt then? I sort of assumed it was some chelate magic, but is it really the quality of the starting material they are refined from?
So just to make sure I'm getting this right, chelates are for trace and really are mainly for iron?
I was hoping someone could explain chelates to me. I understand that they make an element available in solution, but how? Also do macro's need to be chelated or just trace?
Hey mate sorry for not getting back to your pm - have a read here re chelates http://www.manicbotanix.com/hydroponic-grow-guide/beneficial-additives-in-hydroponics.html
I just finished reading this page. It is very well written. Your website is extremely informative and very fun for a hydro nerd like me to read.
Are you still planning on opening up the e-Shop on your website? I would like to try some of your fertilizer formulas.
Hey mate sorry for not getting back to your pm - have a read here re chelates http://www.manicbotanix.com/hydroponic-grow-guide/beneficial-additives-in-hydroponics.html
After silicon under heading of additional chelators in solution.
It explains the diff between chelation and complexing and organic versus synthetic chelates etc and should give you a good overview and understanding of the basics. Most, if not all good hydroponic nutrients use chelates and definitely chelated iron (Fe) is a must in any hydroponic solution.
What happens to the edta after it drops off its cation? The plant cannot use edta...right?
all pk is chelated no ?
Round up would be another example of a synthetic chelate no? Antibiotics would be another...sucking micronutrients out of bacteria...and you also. Hopefully killing the bacteria before killing you...but definitely also murdering good bacteria.
That path is always gonna be a fine line between it works and shit, did not see that coming.