Chelation Explained: The Science, the Myths, and the Future

What Is Chelation and Why It Matters

Chelation might sound complex, but the concept is simple — and essential for modern agriculture.
The term chelation comes from the Greek word “chele”, meaning claw. It describes how certain organic molecules “hold” or bind metal nutrients like iron, zinc, manganese, or copper in a stable form, keeping them dissolved and plant-available.

Without chelation, many nutrients precipitate or oxidize, becoming unavailable to plants — especially in high pH environments. Chelation prevents this, maintaining nutrient solubility and stability.

How Chelated Nutrients Work

In simple terms, chelating agents form coordination bonds with metal ions, creating a protected, water-soluble complex.
For example:

• Iron sulfate dissolves in water but oxidizes quickly, becoming unavailable.
• Iron EDTA, on the other hand, binds iron tightly, preventing oxidation and maintaining solubility.

The most common chelating agents include:

• EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
• DTPA (Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid)
• EDDHA (Ethylenediamine-N,N’-bis(2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid))
• HEEDTA (N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid)

Each works best at specific pH ranges:

• EDTA — acidic conditions (ideal for hydroponics and turf)
• DTPA — neutral pH (aquatic and soil systems)
• EDDHA — alkaline conditions (hard water or high-pH soils)

Common Myths About Chelation

The chelation market is filled with misleading claims. Many so-called “chelated” products are simply mixtures of metal sulfates and citric acid, which lower pH temporarily but don’t create true chelation bonds.

If the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) lists only sulfates and citric acid (not citrate), it’s not genuinely chelated. True chelation involves stable coordination complexes, not just acidity adjustments.

There are also amino acid chelates marketed for micronutrient delivery. While these can be effective in small doses, they typically have low nutrient concentrations and limited stability compared to EDTA-based or citrate-based complexes.

The Drawbacks of Synthetic Chelates

While EDTA and similar chelates have been revolutionary, they come with downsides:

1. Environmental persistence – EDTA is not biodegradable, meaning it can persist in soil and water for years.
2. Heavy metal mobilization – Once released into the environment, EDTA can bind heavy metals like lead or cadmium, increasing contamination risks.
3. Over-application risks – Chelated nutrients remain soluble longer, increasing the potential for accumulation or toxicity.
4. pH sensitivity – Even EDTA can fail at low pH (below 4), leading to “crashing out” and forming insoluble residues.

These issues have driven researchers to explore natural, biodegradable alternatives.

Eutrema’s Breakthrough: Natural Chelation for Boron

Boron is an essential micronutrient for cell division, reproductive growth, and yield formation — particularly in brassicas and oilseed crops. However, it’s notoriously hard to manage because boron doesn’t move easily within plants.

Traditionally, boron is chelated with ethanolamine, a synthetic and non-biodegradable compound with a high pH (above 8). Eutrema’s scientists have developed a natural chelation alternative that mimics how boron is transported in rose plants — which never suffer boron deficiency.

The innovation offers several benefits:

• ✅ Biodegradable and sustainable – Derived from natural chelating compounds.
• ✅ Optimized for pH 6.5 – Perfect for hydroponic and soil systems.
• ✅ Systemic mobility – Moves through both xylem and phloem, improving nutrient transport.
• ✅ Higher solubility – Outperforms standard boron ethanolamine.
• ✅ Potential for organic certification – Environmentally safe and plant-friendly.

This discovery could redefine micronutrient management for growers seeking greener alternatives to synthetic chelates.

Chelation Beyond Boron: Eutrema’s Broader Innovation

Chelation technology sits at the heart of Eutrema’s research portfolio. The company specializes in getting “things that shouldn’t dissolve, into solution.”
Examples include:

• Phosphorus Liberator – Unlocks bound phosphorus for better availability.
• Gold Leaf / Liquid Gold – Prevents calcium and phosphorus precipitation in hydroponic solutions.
• Slugger – A soluble ferric phosphate formulation that challenges conventional chemistry.

These innovations rely on advanced natural chemistry rather than synthetic polymers or non-biodegradable ligands — aligning with global sustainability goals in agriculture.

Final Thoughts

Chelation isn’t just chemistry — it’s the bridge between nutrient science and sustainable farming. Understanding how and why it works can help growers make smarter, greener decisions.

Eutrema’s work in natural, pH-optimized, biodegradable chelation represents the next evolution in plant nutrition — ensuring healthier crops, higher yields, and a cleaner planet.

Article by Dr Russell Sharp

If you would like to keep up to date with subjects just like this, you can listen to both our podcasts! Links can be found bellow:

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