ZINC (Zn) 65.38 Atomic weight

(Micro Nutrient)

Zinc is a fairly rare element, constituting less than 0.0001% of the earth’s crust, yet it is one of the most widely used metal elements.  It is very active, reacting with both acids and alkalis.  In humans and animals, Zinc is an essential trace element.  It is found in high concentration in the red blood cells where it is an essential part of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which promotes many reactions relating to CO2 metabolism.   It is also found in the pancreas where it may help in the storage of insulin.  It is also a component of enzymes that digest proteins in the gastrointestinal tract.

Zinc is an essential component of several important enzyme systems in plants, including the transformation of carbohydrates.  It regulates the consumption of sugars, and it controls the synthesis of indole-acetic acid, an important plant growth regulator.  Terminal growth areas are affected first when zinc is deficient.  Zinc is absorbed by plants as the zinc ion (Zn++).  It is most commonly used in agriculture in its sulfate form.  Excessive amounts are toxic.  In certain chemical compounds, it is used as herbicide.

SILICON  (Si) 28.08 Atomic Weight

(Essential Element)

Silicon is essential to plant and animal life.  It does not occur free in nature, but in its compounds, it constitutes 27.7% of the earth’s crust, the second most abundant element only surpassed by Oxygen.  It is found in practically all rocks, sands, sands, soils, and other mineral elements.  Its compounds also occur in all natural waters; in the atmosphere; in many plant species; and in the skeletons, tissues, and fluids of many animals.

In plants, Silicon bonds to cell walls allowing greater elasticity.  It increases tensile strength of stems and leaves.  Helps plant tissue provide a physical barrier to infestation by disease and insects.

IODINE  (I)  126.9 Atomic Weight

(Non-Nutrient)

Iodine is a relatively rare element, occurring sparingly in sea water to the extent of approximately 50 milligrams per ton of water.  Appreciable quantities are also found in a number of natural brines and in saltpeter and nitrate deposits.  Dispersed as a trace element in rocks and soil, it is not sufficiently concentrated to form independent minerals. Iodine occurs in very small amounts in plants and animals, but very abundantly in seaweed. It is an essential micro-constituent in the human body, most of which in concentrated in the thyroid gland.  This gland secretes Iodine-bearing hormones that are essential for maintaining normal metabolism in all the body’s cells.  Because of its germicidal effects, Iodine is used in many areas of medicine, including diagnostic work in locating tumors and in radiology.

In plants, it serves in support of the plant’s immune system as a natural antiseptic in maintaining resistance to invading foreign bacteria.  It is also used as an additive to a number of animal feeds and dietary supplements.  Excessive amounts of Iodine are toxic and may cause serious damage to cell tissues.