Keywords: Micronutrients, Trace elements, Micronutrients in soil, Micronutrient availability to plants, Micronutrients in plants and animals.

This paper summarises sources of micronutrients (trace elements) in soil and their availability to plants. Nutrient uptake characteristics of roots are related to root exudates and the rhizosphere and the role of mycorrhizae. The sources, forms and concentrations of those micronutrients important in crop and animal nutrition are summarised.

The influence of soil and soil conditions on the occurrence of micronutrients and their availability to plants is discussed.

A E Johnston, Lawes Trust Senior Fellow, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ. UK

31 Pages, 6 Tables, 89 References.