Micronutrient deficiency problems in South America

Abstract

South America has largest land area at global level to produce food and fibre crops. In addition, climatic conditions (temperature and water availability) are favourable, which further enhances the role of this continent in providing world food security. The Brazilian Cerrado, or savanna, a total area of about 205 Mha of acid soils is a good case in point. Similarly, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador also have large land areas, which can be utilized for crop production. However, the major soils of this continent are acidic and infertile. Hence, liming and fertiliser application are essential. Micronutrient deficiencies are an emerging limiting factor for annual crop production. In annual crops such as rice, corn, wheat, soybean and common bean, deficiencies of Zn, Cu, B, Mn and Fe have been reported. Adopting sound soil and crop management practices will not only enhance crop productivity but also help in reducing deforestation of tropical rainforests in South America. This strategy will permit less CO2 release to the atmosphere, conservation of soil, water and global climatic change. In South America, micronutrient management issues require a great of deal of research for improvement.