BLACK OATS HAVE earned their place as the No. 1 cover crop on millions of no-tilled soybean acres in Brazil, and these rapidly growing, tall oats that prevent erosion and conserve soil moisture have captured the attention of U.S. researchers and growers.

Editor’s note: This is the sixth of seven articles to be published in the No-Till Farmer newsletter on micronutrients essential to plant health.

All crops require manganese for proper growth and development, so proper management of this micronutrient is vital for photosynthesis, germination and plant maturity, experts say.

When it comes to plant requirements, iron is needed in small amounts to facilitate proper plant growth and production.

While copper is present in most U.S. soils, it is often tied up and unavailable to plants. It’s an essential micronutrient involved in many cellular reactions in plant cells. But at high levels, copper can be detrimental to plant development.

While copper is present in most U.S. soils, it is often tied up and unavailable to plants. It’s an essential micronutrient involved in many cellular reactions in plant cells. But at high levels, copper can be detrimental to plant development.

Even though zinc is a micronutrient, its role in plant development is nothing to take lightly.

Even though zinc is a micronutrient, its role in plant development is nothing to take lightly.