Why do plants need amino acid chelates?
Plants need amino acid chelates essentially because this special structure solves the three core problems of nutrient absorption and can be called the "intelligent nutrient delivery system" of plants. The following is the scientific analysis:
1.The key to cracking the absorption password
Amino acid chelates act like agents, encapsulating metal ions (such as iron/zinc) with organic molecules (amino acids) to form "camouflage capsules" with diameters of only 0.1-1nm. This structure can deceive the defense mechanism of plant cell membranes, and its absorption efficiency is 3 to 5 times higher than that of inorganic salt ions. Just like putting on an "invisibility cloak" for nutrients, they directly enter the cells through the VIP channel.
2. Anti-interference transportation expert
In the soil, common metal ions are easily fixed (such as iron rusting and zinc precipitation). The amino acid ligands in the chelate act like bulletproof armor, protecting metal ions from being intercepted by soil pH or impurities. Experiments show that the effectiveness of chelated iron in alkaline soil is more than 20 times that of inorganic iron.
3. Cell-level precise delivery
After entering the plant body, amino acids, as natural signaling molecules, can target and recognize the required parts. For example:
Chelated iron will be preferentially transported to young leaves (yellow leaves turn green within 3 days).
Chelated calcium directly targets the cell walls of fruits (doubling the anti-cracking effect)
4. Dual Nutrition Set meal
During decomposition, not only are metal elements released, but amino acids themselves are also excellent sources of nitrogen. 1 molecule of glycine-iron chelate = iron element + glycine that plants can directly absorb. Buy one get one free, a super value combination.
5. Black technology for survival in Adversity
Under stress such as salinity and drought, the natural chelating agents actively secreted by plants are insufficient. Artificial chelating agents are like a timely help in the snow:
Maintain the activity of trace elements such as copper and manganese
Activate the antiretroviral enzyme system (SOD enzyme activity ↑50%)
Typical cases include:
During the color change period of grapes, amino acid chelated potassium was used to increase the sugar content by 2 degrees and achieve early maturity by one week
Spraying EDDHA-Fe for iron deficiency yellow disease takes effect within 24 hours
This triple advantage of "biocompatibility + high utilization rate + stress resistance" makes amino acid chelates a standard feature of modern precision agriculture. Just like the "nano-scale nutrient express train" equipped for plants, traditional fertilizers can only look up to it.