SIGNIFICANCE OF CHELATION

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHELATION PROCESS IN SOIL ARE:

1. Increase the availability of nutrients.
Chelating agents will bind the relatively insoluble iron in high pH soil and make it available to plants.

2. Prevent mineral nutrients from forming insoluble precipitates.
The chelating agents of the metal ions will protect the chelated ions from unfavorable chemical reactions and hence increase the availability of these ions to plants. One example is iron in high pH soil. In high pH soil, iron will react with hydroxyl group (OH-) to form insoluble ferric hydroxide (Fe (OH) 3) which is not available to plants.
Fe+3 + 3 OH- --------> Fe (OH)3
Soluble Insoluble
Chelation will prevent this reaction from happening and hence render iron available to plants.

3. Reduce toxicity of some metal ions to plants.
Chelation in the soil may reduce the concentration of some metal ions to a non-toxic level. This process is usually accomplished by humic acid and high-molecular-weight components of organic matter.

4. Prevent nutrients from leaching.
Metal ions forming chelates are more stable than the free ions. Chelation process reduces the loss of nutrients through leaching.

5. Increase the mobility of plant nutrients.
Chelation increases the mobility of nutrients in soil. This increased mobility enhances the uptake of these nutrients by plants.

6. Suppress the growth of plant pathogens.
Some chelating agents may suppress the growth of plant pathogens by depriving iron and hence favor plant growth.