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Chelating action is a chemical process whereby an organic molecule (chelator) binds to a metal ion to form a stable complex that is easily assimilated by the plant. This bond prevents the metal from being immobilized by the soil or precipitating as insoluble compounds, thus keeping it available for root absorption.
From a technical standpoint, chelators act as molecular transporters: they capture the nutrient (iron, zinc, manganese, copper) and protect it from reactions that would normally render it inactive, such as high pH, the presence of carbonates, or oxidative processes.
The result is a stable, soluble, and bioavailable microelement.
The advantages of chelation in the soil
In the soil, chelation offers many agronomic advantages:
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It increases the availability of microelements, even in the most difficult soils.
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It reduces insolubilization, thereby improving fertilizer efficiency.
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It stabilizes elements over time, making nutrition more consistent.
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It optimizes root absorption, even under stressful conditions or at low temperatures.
More efficient nutrition means more balanced plants, less waste, and better fertilizer efficiency.
Application in agriculture
In agriculture, chelates are used to correct specific deficiencies (such as iron chlorosis), to promote production quality, and to optimize fertilizer efficiency.
Their ability to maintain elements in an assimilable form allows for lower doses to be used, but with a higher response.
They are particularly useful in calcareous or alkaline soils, where unchelated elements would quickly precipitate and lose their effectiveness.
Application on turf
On turf, the effect of chelates is immediate:
they promote more intense coloration, more active metabolism, and greater density.
High nutritional requirements and the need for a rapid response make chelates ideal tools for supporting aesthetic quality and resistance to stress caused by mowing, compaction, or critical climatic conditions.
NRG UMIA 80: perfect synergy with chelates and improved soil structure
NRG UMIA 80 is a product designed to improve the biological vitality of the soil and increase the efficiency of nutrients available to the plant. Its application in combination with iron chelates generates a strong synergy:
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it improves the transport of the microelement;
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it enhances the effectiveness of iron, particularly in the most complex soils;
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it reduces application rates while maintaining or increasing the final response.
In addition to its nutritional effect, NRG UMIA 80 plays a fundamental role in soil structure. In compacted soils or those subject to intense trampling (sports fields, recreational areas, intensive turf), it helps improve porosity, promoting:
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better circulation of the circulating solution;
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increased oxygen availability in the root zone;
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more efficient nutrient absorption and greater root system responsiveness.
NRG UMIA 80 can be distributed via the root system, but it also performs best on the surface thanks to its highly soluble microgranules, which ensure even distribution and very rapid dissolution.
These characteristics make it ideal for fertigation, localized micro-distribution, and use on high-maintenance lawns.
Find out how to immediately improve the effectiveness of your fertilizers: start here by contacting us.