Speaker: Douglas Snyder, National Marketing Agronomist

My Educational Programs / Sessions @ Cultivate

Iodine as a Plant Nutrient
Monday, July 17 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
This presentation will discuss the role of iodine in plant development. Plants bind iodine in at least 82 proteins in leaves and roots. Iodine is needed for timely flowering, increased seed production, biomass accumulation and photosynthesis. Iodine can alleviate loss of production from abiotic and biotic stress. Test results have shown that the application of iodine with potassium nitrate show an improvement in root development and fresh weight of lettuce and coriander in hydroponics, and total season yield in round tomato and in Italian sweet pepper. Additionally, an increase in fruit fresh weight and in the concentrations of antioxidants and calcium in cherry tomato was revealed and prevention of blossom end rot in sweet pepper fruits was noticed. The scientific results and experiences of commercial growers indicate that iodine is just as needed for plants as it is for other living organism on earth.