Trace Elements and Nutrient Efficiency: Is Your Fertiliser Program Working Hard Enough?
Are you really getting the most out of your fertiliser program? If you’ve noticed variation between paddocks or farms—even when the fertiliser strategy is the same—it might be time to dig a little deeper.
In my last post we explored the role of trace elements in plant growth and the risks associated with ignoring micronutrients. One key concept we touched on was Liebig’s Law of the Minimum—that plant yield is ultimately limited by the most deficient nutrient, no matter how much of everything else is available.
Think of your soil like a wooden barrel. Each stave represents a nutrient. No matter how tall most of the staves are, the shortest one (say, zinc) determines how much water—or yield—the barrel can actually hold.
So, How Important Are Trace Elements?
Very. Especially when it comes to nutrient uptake and overall plant resilience—regardless of whether you’re facing a drought or a perfect season. Trace elements may only be needed in small amounts, but they punch well above their weight when it comes to:
Enzymatic Reactions
Elements like Manganese and Zinc act as enzyme cofactors, driving nitrogen and carbon cycling in soil.
Nitrogen Fixation
Iron and Molybdenum are critical for nitrogenase, the enzyme that helps legume bacteria fix nitrogen—without it, your legumes are flying blind.
Soil Microbial Activity
Elements such as Zinc, Boron, and Copper support diverse soil microbial life, which is essential for breaking down organic matter and making nutrients plant-available.
Phosphorus Availability
Iron and Zinc help unlock phosphorus bound in organic material through enzyme support. In short, if your trace elements are out of balance, your NPK may not be doing what you think it is.
So, What Can You Do About It?
Sure, you can run multiple soil tests and create a highly prescriptive program—which might still fall short. Or, you can simplify your approach with Converte’s range of biologically active, trace-enhanced products.
Our products are designed to complement your existing fertiliser program, not replace it. Think of them as enhancers that help unlock what’s already in your soil, while feeding the microbial communities that drive nutrient cycling.
We also make it easy to understand what you’re using. There’s no mystery—we publish the typical analysis of every product. And with ingredients like fulvic acid and humates, you’re not just fertilising—you’re rejuvenating your soil biology.
Healthy Microbes = Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants
There’s a lot of buzz about adding external microbes to your soil—but our philosophy is to feed the ones you already have. Stimulate what’s there, get your soil biology humming again, and let nature do what it’s always done best.
A healthy microbial system processes nutrients more efficiently, making them readily available to your plants. And that means your plants are more resilient, your yields more consistent, and your input costs potentially reduced.
Start Small: Try Seed Primer
If you’re curious but cautious, Seed Primer is a smart first step. When a seed germinates into a rhizosphere rich in micronutrients, the results are often clear.
Seedlings with better root and shoot growth by six weeks
Higher leaf area density
Early evidence of soil limitations and product effectiveness
At just $32/tonne (5L treats 10 tonnes of seed), it’s an affordable way to run some strip trials and compare results.
Here’s an example from non-wetting soils in WA last year—treated plants showed significantly improved growth over untreated ones just six weeks post-emergence.
Other Product Options & Costs (Retail, inc. GST in 1000 litre volumes):
- Bio Restore (pre-sowing): $14/ha
- Seed Primer (on-seed): $32/t
- Plant Food (6 weeks post): $7/ha
- ReNUE (mid-season foliar boost): $4.50/ha
All tank-mix compatible with herbicides and other inputs
Ready to Rethink Fertiliser Efficiency?
If you’ve been relying heavily on NPK and ignoring trace elements, there’s a good chance you’re seeing:
- Reduced nutrient efficiency
- Poor microbial activity
- Plants more susceptible to stress
- Lower-than-expected yields
Our aim is to help you use less fertiliser while getting more from your soil. Some of our customers have cut NPK use by 10–20% while maintaining or even improving yield. And it all started with a simple product trial.
Let’s Chat About Your Soil
Still reading? Then maybe it’s time to explore a better way forward.
Send me an email
Whether you want to run a small trial, tweak your current program, or overhaul your approach completely—I’m here to help you get more from the ground beneath your boots.
Scott Glyde – Converte Director of Agribusiness
