The Future of Micronutrients in Agriculture: A Manufacturer’s Take
September 18, 2025 Agriculture is in a constant state of flux. Whether it’s weather, technology, or any of a number of other factors retailers and growers face an onslaught of challenges. CropLife interviewed Muhammad Chragh, Technical Agronomist, Koch Agronomic Services, to learn how the company promotes the use of micronutrients to help retailers and their grower-customers mitigate those issues.
CropLife: What factors influenced how the micronutrient segment faired this year?
Muhammad Chragh: A number of factors have impacted growth of micronutrients segment:
- Increased awareness of micronutrient role in plant growth & development and identification of the deficiencies.
- Increased demand for high-yield crops
- Increased use of precision agriculture technologies makes it easier to apply micronutrients.
- Growth in the development and adoption of biological and organic micronutrient formulations
CL: How has the role of micronutrients changed over the past couple of years?
MC: Advances in seed genetics have increased the nutritional demands of high-performance hybrid crops, making micronutrients more critical than ever. More growers are realizing that micronutrients are necessary for reaching yield potential and are more than just a “nice to have.” Transition is happening from “nice to have” to “important for achieving highest yield potential.” This has driven education and awareness around micronutrient deficiencies and efficient application methods to meet the need.
CL: How has the technology behind micronutrients changed over the past several years?
MC: The science of crop micronutrients has evolved significantly leading to a deeper understanding of their specific roles in plant physiology, the identification of micronutrient deficiencies in modern crop varieties, and the development of more targeted methods to deliver micronutrients.
The industry now has a more precise understanding of how individual micronutrients like zinc, iron, manganese, boron, and copper contribute to various plant processes, including photosynthesis, enzyme activity, hormone regulation, and cell wall development.
Mindset transition from snake oils to scientific based and data driven research is on the rise and is making progress in developing and delivering new technologies.
CL: What trends are currently driving the micronutrients marketplace?
MC: The increased yield potential of hybrids has demonstrated the need for micronutrients in a way that aligns with 4R nutrient practices and is sustainable as well as profitable.
WOLF TRAX DDP, from Koch Agronomic Services, helps growers maintain 4R nutrient stewardship practices because it ensures even distribution across a field to put the nutrients in close proximity to growing roots. This provides more points of contact to increase nutrient uptake potential. Applying micronutrients in this manner, and at a rate in accordance with plant uptake, delivers nutrition when and where the plant needs it.
CL: What are the biggest challenges to growing the micronutrient market?
MC: Moving into the coming crop year, I think we’ll continue to see growers reviewing budgets closely to find the most reasonable ways to manage their finances during the current downward cycle.
As growers look for places to find efficiencies, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s nothing “micro” about the importance of micronutrients. Liebig’s Law of Minimum (or Liebig’s Barrel) tells us that crop yield is limited by the most deficient nutrient, regardless of how much of the other nutrients are available. This concept illustrates that it doesn’t matter whether a nutrient is macro or micro; if it isn’t available to the crop, growth will be limited. Retailers and growers alike need to keep this in mind and prioritize a balanced fertilizer package as they plan for the upcoming season.
CL: What are the biggest opportunities for the micronutrient market?
MC: The biggest opportunities are tied back to the biggest challenges. As understanding of micronutrients grows, farmers will seek ways to overcome the Law of Minimum and look to micronutrient technologies that help them deliver on the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship to select products that enhance uptake, efficiency, and distribution in the plant.
WOLF TRAX DDP is one such product that also provides better distribution in the field when compared to traditional granular micronutrients. WOLF TRAX DDP features EvenCoat technology to ensure uniform distribution across fields. This uniform distribution promotes better root interception and increased potential for nutrient uptake. Each WOLF TRAX formulation is specifically designed to simplify management, set crops up for success and maximize farmers’ fertilizer investments.
CL: What are your expectations for the 2026 season?
MC: As growers focus on their macro and micronutrient inputs, and become more aware of the importance of micronutrients, demand for micronutrients will likely increase.
Weather is always a complicating factor each growing season, so it will be important to assess the need for micronutrients based on the conditions in specific regions.
We also expect growers to continue to adopt the 4R nutrient stewardship principles and seek out products that offer a better return on investment and environmental benefits.
CL: What else do our readers need to know about the micronutrient market?
MC: I encourage readers to consider additional ways to supply micronutrients to their crops that aligns with the 4R nutrient stewardship practices — Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place.
Traditional granular micronutrients often struggle with uneven distribution in the soil, creating a patchy supply for plants. This inconsistency leads to some plants thriving while others become deficient, affecting overall crop health and yield. WOLF TRAX™ Dry Dispersible Power (DDP™) micronutrients benefit farmers by providing precise and consistent nutrient placement using EvenCoat Technology to ensure nutrients uniformly coat the entire surface of dry fertilizer granules, resulting in consistent application and even distribution.
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