IRON  (Fe) 55.84  Atomic Weight

(Micro Nutrient)

Iron is an essential element to plants, animals, and humans.  It is the fourth most abundant element, constituting 5.0% of the earth’s crust.  It is the second most abundant metal element, and as the chief constituent of the earth’s core, it is the most abundant element in the overall mass of the earth.  It is also relatively plentiful in the sun and other stars as well as solid extraterrestrial objects such as meteors, which are classified by Iron content. Iron is found combined with other elements in hundreds of minerals.

In humans and animals, Iron is part of the active site of hemoglobin, and carries Oxygen in the bloodstream.  It constitutes about 0.004 percent of the body, of which approximately 65% of that is in the form of hemoglobin; 1.0% is used in enzyme activity that controls intracellular oxidation; the balance is stored in various organs for future manufacture of hemoglobin.  Red meat, eggs, vegetables and fruit are sources of Iron for the body.

In plants, the sulfate compound is an essential source of Iron, which utilizes it in the formation of chlorophyll in plant cells.   It serves as an activator for biochemical processes such as plant respiration, photosynthesis, and symbiotic nitrogen fixation.  Deficiencies can be induced by high levels of Manganese or lime content in soils.  Iron is taken up by plants either in the ferrous (Fe++) or (Fe+++) ions.

MANGANESE (Mn) 54.93 Atomic Weight

(Micro Nutrient)

Manganese, combined with other elements, is widely distributed in the earth’s crust.  Manganese participates as an activator for enzymes in growth processes in plants, animals and humans where it helps break down carbohydrates.  It may be essential for the utilization of Vitamin B.  It assists Iron in chlorophyll formation, and helps in the metabolic reduction of nitrates in green plants and algae.  High Manganese concentration may induce Iron deficiency and is generally toxic to plants and humans in excess levels.  Manganese uptake is primarily in the form of the ion (Mn++).

MOLYBDENUM (Mo) 95.94 Atomic Weight

(Micro Nutrient)

Molybdenum is a relatively rare element that is not found in its free form in nature. It’s primary benefit to plants is as a catalyst in assisting bacteria in the fixation and utilization of nitrogen.  Plants cannot transform nitrate nitrogen into amino acids without Molybdenum. Legumes cannot fix atmospheric nitrogen symbiotically unless Molybdenum is present. Plants take up molybdenum in either a sodium molybdate or Molybdenum trioxide form.