Micronutrient Limitations in Crop Production and Strategies for Improvement: A Review

Abstract Crop productivity in developing countries is hindered by micronutrient deficiency, particularly in the third world, leading to challenges in achieving higher yields. The unbalanced use of fertilizers for higher agricultural production has resulted in soil fertility exhaustion and imbalances in major, secondary, and micronutrients. The intensified cultivation, erosion, and loss of micronutrients through various processes have led to an escalation in crop micronutrient insufficiencies, impacting both crop productivity and human nutrition. African soils, including those in Ethiopia, suffer from multiple nutrient deficiencies, affecting staple crops and leading to poor nutritional quality in diets. In Ethiopian soils, there is a widespread occurrence of micronutrient deficiencies, specifically in zinc, boron, and copper, which adversely impact the productivity of crops. The introduction of mineral fertilizers in Ethiopia in the 1970s has not addressed micronutrient deficiencies adequately. The review emphasizes the importance of micronutrients in global crop production and their role in addressing hunger and malnutrition. The limited use of micronutrients in developing countries contrasts with their significance in improving crop yield and quality. Micronutrient deficiencies can have severe consequences on plant growth, yield, and human health. The review concludes by stressing the significance of addressing micronutrient deficiencies for optimal crop production and human nutrition. The goal of the review is to present a comprehensive understanding of the significance of micronutrients for crop production.