The world’s first zinc and manganese foliar fertiliser made from recycled batteries is now available to UK growers as an effective micronutrient spray.

Up to 80% of trace elements found in alkaline batteries can be reused, which prompted Finnish crop product manufacturer Tracegrow to develop a method that extracts, purifies and recycles the zinc and manganese found in batteries – both of which are important crop micronutrients.

The product, known as ZM-Grow, is a sulphate-based concentrate, containing 60g/litre of zinc, 67g/litre manganese and 75g/litre sulphur and is now approved for use in the UK for both conventional and organic farming systems.

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Circular economy fertiliser

Trialled and distributed by Hutchinsons crop production specialists over the past two seasons, feedback from the foiliar spray has been positive. 

Tim Kerr, the group’s fertiliser manager, recommends applying a rate of 2-3 litres in 200-400 litres of water. He notes that it is easy for growers to use, helps to tick environmental boxes and promotes crop growth.

“ZM-Grow is an exciting product and branded as a circular economy fertiliser – it ticks all of the boxes for sustainability, offers a reduced carbon footprint while also providing a high-quality, effective micronutrient foliar fertiliser”.

In trials, the product was found to be chemically stable, and users experienced no issues with mixing or applying the spray. “It flows smoothly through filters and spray nozzles and doesn’t block them up,” he says.

“We know that balancing micronutrition can help improve nitrogen efficiency and ZM-Grow can make this difference, at a time when nitrogen prices are at an all-time high.”