September 24, 2019

Zintrac in Cotton

HIGH yielding cotton crops require adequate access to zinc to efficiently convert radiant energy into complex sugars (cellulose) or lint fibre. With increasing temperatures and sunlight intensity during summer, zinc also plays a key role in protecting the plant.
Flowering cotton plant
Flowering cotton plant

Zinc is part of the SOD enzyme, which is a cellular defence systems against highly toxic oxygen-free radicals.

If theses radicals build up in plant tissue, they cause membrane damage which negatively effects plant health and crop yields.

Yara Australia Agronomy and Crop Solutions Manager, David McRae, says adequate zinc availability is critical.

“Think of it as sunscreen for your plants,” he says.

“Maintaining adequate zinc to protect your cotton crop is a simple and effective practice that will support effective growth.”

“The change from vegetative to reproductive growth signifies the start of an important period.”

“Nearly 70% of the total zinc required is taken up by the plant between flowering and early boll filling.”

The foliar application of zinc provides a readily-available source of the key nutrient required for growth to supplement supply during key growth stages.

Yara Crop Nutrition markets a number of zinc-based foliar fertilisers, including YaraVita ZINTRAC, GLYTREL ZnP and Yara Liquids P-FOL Zinc.

Glytrel ZnP and P-FOL Zinc also contain phosphorus, which in combination with zinc, can be an important tool to stimulate early root and top growth.

ZINTRAC is a highly-concentrated suspension concentrate zinc formulation that contains 70% zinc and 1.8% nitrogen.

GLYTREL ZnP is a unique glyphosate-compatible foliar zinc fertiliser that can be safely applied at critical growth stages.

It contains 10% complexed zinc and 4.4% phosphorus and can be applied with glyphosate to Roundup Ready® cotton with no reduction in weed control.

Both fertilisers contain all the necessary wetters and stickers to maximise zinc uptake in all weather conditions.

ZINTRAC is applied at 0.3–1 L/ha at the 2–4 leaf stage, while GLYTREL ZnP is applied at 2–3 L/ha from four nodes to early squaring.


Yara Liquids P-FOL Zinc is a high analysis zinc (14%) and phosphorus (18%) fertiliser that can be applied as a band or broadcast to correct zinc and or phosphorus deficiency.

“P-FOL Zinc is readily absorbed by the leaves allowing the phosphorus and zinc to be rapidly utilised by the plant, boosting crops during periods of rapid growth or to help crops overcome adverse climatic conditions,” David says.

P-FOL Zinc is applied at 3–5 L/ha, along with 0.1% Nipro Wetter 1000 from four nodes to early squaring.

Yara foliar and liquid fertilisers are compatible with a wide range of crop protection products for easy, one-pass application.

“However, always check the compatibility of the intended tank-mix partners before mixing by downloading the Yara Tankmix app or contacting your Yara Sales Agronomist,” David says.