Professional-grade chelated zinc for maximum bioavailability — corrects deficiency, restores normal growth, and supports enzyme function across all crop types and application methods.
High-concentration formula delivers precise micronutrient correction with lower application rates, reducing per-acre cost compared to non-chelated sources.
The EDTA ligand binds zinc ions and prevents precipitation, keeping zinc plant-available in a wider pH range than zinc sulfate, which locks up above pH 5.5.
Dissolves completely for use in drip irrigation, foliar sprayers, fertigation systems, and hydroponic reservoirs — no residue or clogging.
Zinc is a required cofactor for hundreds of enzyme systems governing protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and growth hormone regulation.
Adequate zinc is critical for pollen development and fertilization — deficiency reduces fruit set and delays crop maturity, especially in corn, grapes, and citrus.
Chelated zinc corrects shortened internodes and the characteristic "rosette" growth pattern caused by zinc deficiency, restoring normal shoot elongation.
Zinc deficiency is the primary cause of little leaf disorder in citrus, pecans, and stone fruits. Chelated zinc restores proper leaf expansion within 2–4 weeks of application.
EDTA chelation prevents soil tie-up with phosphates and carbonates, delivering more zinc per pound applied — especially valuable in calcareous and high-pH soils.
Independently lab tested for heavy metal content, with CDFA registration ensuring consistent quality and safety for commercial and home use.
Formulated for soil application, foliar spray, drip fertigation, and hydroponic systems — one product that adapts to your growing method.
Our Chelated Zinc EDTA is sourced as a single, high-purity compound — Zinc Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Zn-EDTA) — manufactured in the USA to consistent quality standards and registered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) forms a cage-like bond around zinc ions. This protects zinc from reacting with soil carbonates, phosphates, and hydroxides that would otherwise render it unavailable to plants. The plant's roots or leaf cells absorb the chelate and release the zinc for metabolic use.
Zinc is the most commonly deficient micronutrient in high-pH soils. The EDTA chelate form keeps zinc soluble and plant-available through pH 7.0 — a critical advantage in the alkaline soils common throughout California's San Joaquin Valley and similar agricultural regions.
Zinc activates over 300 enzymes including RNA polymerase, carbonic anhydrase, and superoxide dismutase. It is structurally required for auxin (growth hormone) synthesis — explaining why deficiency causes shortened internodes and stunted leaves.
EDTA forms a hexadentate complex with zinc, wrapping around the ion at six bonding points. This creates a stable ring structure (formation constant log K = 16.5) that resists displacement by competing soil cations while remaining labile enough for plant uptake.
Zinc availability drops 100-fold for every unit of pH increase above 6.0. Zinc sulfate becomes largely unavailable above pH 5.5. Chelated zinc maintains availability through pH 7.0, making it the practical choice for the majority of agricultural soils.
Zinc sulfate reacts with soil phosphates to form insoluble zinc phosphate within days of application. Chelated zinc remains in soluble form and moves to root zones with irrigation water.
Chelated zinc penetrates leaf cuticles more readily than ionic zinc salts, leading to faster correction of deficiency symptoms when applied as a foliar spray.
Because chelated zinc is not lost to soil fixation, lower rates achieve the same correction — typically 5–10× more efficient per pound than zinc sulfate on a per-acre basis in alkaline soils.
Results vary with soil temperature, moisture, application method, and severity of deficiency. Zinc is immobile in plants — only new growth shows recovery.
Zinc is immobile in plants — deficiency always appears on new growth first. Apply when early symptoms are visible for fastest correction. Soil testing is recommended before application; the critical deficiency threshold is 0.5–1.0 ppm DTPA-extractable zinc.
| Crop Type | Application Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable Crops | 4–12 lbs/acre or 2–5 oz/1,000 sq ft | Apply pre-plant or side-dress |
| Field Crops (Corn, Grain) | 6–10 lbs/acre (up to 15 lbs severe) | Band application near seed is most efficient |
| Tree & Vine Crops | 4–15 lbs/acre or 1–2 oz/inch trunk dia. | Apply to root zone under drip line |
| Ornamental Shrubs | 2 tbsp (small) or 2 tbsp/inch diameter | Work into top 2" of soil |
| Turf & Lawns | 0.5 lb/1,000 sq ft (22 lbs/acre) | Water in thoroughly after application |
| Crop Type | Application Rate | Spray Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Citrus Trees | 1–2 lbs/100 gal spray | Full cover spray; avoid during bloom |
| Other Trees & Vines | 1–2 lbs/acre | 25 gal minimum for coverage |
| Vegetables & Field Crops | 0.33–1.33 lbs/acre | 25 gal minimum |
| Turf | 1–4 oz/1,000 sq ft | Thorough coverage, water in after |
| System | Method | Target ppm Zn |
|---|---|---|
| Hydroponics | Stock solution method (½ cup per gallon water) | 0.05–0.2 ppm (max 0.5 ppm) |
| Fertigation | 2–4 lbs/acre per application | Monitor with periodic testing |
For corn and other row crops, band application at 2–3 inches beside and below seed row at planting uses 40–60% less product than broadcast to achieve the same correction. This precision placement concentrates zinc near developing roots during the most zinc-sensitive early growth stages (V3–V6 in corn).
Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for complete safety information.
Zinc deficiency often occurs alongside other micronutrient deficiencies, especially in high-pH soils. Build a complete micronutrient program with these complementary products.
Correct iron chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins) that frequently accompanies zinc deficiency in alkaline soils. EDTA-chelated for pH 4–7 stability.
Manganese and zinc deficiencies often co-occur in calcareous soils. Chelated manganese supports photosynthesis, nitrogen assimilation, and disease resistance.
Complete your trace element program with chelated copper for enzyme activation, lignin synthesis, and improved disease resistance in high-value crops.
For acidic soils below pH 5.5 where EDTA chelation is less necessary — zinc sulfate delivers high zinc concentration at a lower cost per pound.
Zinc deficiency always appears on new growth first because zinc is immobile in plants — it cannot move from older leaves to support emerging tissue. Key symptoms include interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between leaf veins on young leaves), small and narrow "little leaf" in trees, shortened internodes creating a rosette or clustered appearance, bronze or necrotic spots (especially in beans), white bud in corn (young leaves emerge pale or white), and delayed maturity with poor fruit or seed set. Deficiency is most common in soils above pH 7.0, sandy soils, high-phosphorus soils, and during cool, wet growing conditions. For a detailed visual guide, see our article on Understanding Zinc Deficiency in Plants.
Chelated zinc EDTA and zinc sulfate differ primarily in how they behave in soil. Zinc sulfate is inexpensive but precipitates out of solution above pH 5.5, binding with phosphates and carbonates to form insoluble compounds unavailable to plants. Chelated zinc EDTA remains soluble and plant-available through pH 7.0, making it 5–10× more efficient per pound in alkaline and calcareous soils. Chelated zinc also causes less phytotoxicity in foliar applications and is compatible with most fertilizer programs. In acidic soils below pH 5.5, zinc sulfate is often sufficient and more economical. For a full comparison, see Sulfate vs. Chelated Fertilizers: Key Differences Explained.
Yes, but always use the stock solution method — never add the powder directly to a reservoir. The amounts needed are extremely small (often under 1 gram for a typical system), so direct addition makes it nearly impossible to avoid overdose. To make a stock solution, dissolve ½ cup (approximately 108 g) in 1 gallon of water to create a ~4,000 ppm zinc concentrate. Add 1–3 teaspoons of this stock per 100 gallons of reservoir and test with a ppm meter to confirm the final concentration is 0.05–0.2 ppm zinc. Never exceed 0.5 ppm — zinc toxicity causes bronze leaf discoloration and significant root damage.
For annual crops, apply zinc at or before planting — band application near the seed row is the most efficient method. For perennial trees and vines, apply in early spring before bud break. For corrective applications once symptoms appear, foliar spray provides the fastest response because zinc is absorbed directly through the leaves. Soil applications take longer to reach deficient tissues. A single application lasts the full growing season for most annual crops; perennials may benefit from annual soil applications or foliar sprays during active growth.
Yes — zinc is beneficial at the right levels but toxic at elevated concentrations, particularly in sensitive crops like beans, spinach, and hydroponic systems. Always soil test before applying (critical level is 0.5–1.0 ppm DTPA-extractable Zn), and follow the application rates on this page. In hydroponics, maintain zinc below 0.5 ppm and start at the lower end of the range. Tissue testing is the most accurate way to monitor plant zinc levels — the optimal range for most crops is 20–60 ppm in leaf tissue. For broader micronutrient management principles, see our Essential Micronutrient Management Guide.
Corn is the highest-risk crop for zinc deficiency and often shows white bud symptoms in young plants. Citrus, pecans, grapes, beans, rice, and sorghum are also highly susceptible. Deficiency risk increases on sandy soils, soils with pH above 7.0, soils recently limed or with high available phosphorus, and in cold, wet conditions that reduce root activity. Areas recently cleared of organic matter (such as graded subsoil) are also prone to zinc deficiency because topsoil zinc is lost in grading.
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