Dr Forest
Micro-Amino Chelated Micro-Nutrient Fertiliser | Water Soluble | Organic | UK
Micro-Amino Chelated Micro-Nutrient Fertiliser | Water Soluble | Organic | UK
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Micro-Amino — amino acid chelated micronutrients, 100% water-soluble
Micronutrient deficiencies are the most common hidden limit on plant performance. Iron chlorosis, zinc-stunted growth, boron-deficient fruit set — these problems are invisible until they are severe, and standard NPK fertilisers do nothing to address them. Micro-Amino delivers six essential micronutrients — iron, zinc, manganese, boron, copper, and molybdenum — chelated with amino acids derived from enzymatic hydrolysis of non-GMO soybeans. The result is a 100% water-soluble powder that plants absorb faster and more completely than inorganic mineral salts.
The amino acid chelation is the critical difference. Free mineral ions in soil are rapidly oxidised or locked up by pH, clay particles, and competing cations. Amino acid chelates wrap each micronutrient in a small, electrically neutral organic molecule that passes through root cell membranes and leaf cuticles intact — delivering the mineral directly to where it is needed. The amino acids themselves are metabolised as nitrogen and carbon, feeding both the plant and the soil biology simultaneously.
What Micro-Amino is used for in the garden
- Correcting micronutrient deficiencies — iron chlorosis (interveinal yellowing), zinc stunting, manganese deficiency in brassicas, boron-deficient fruit set, copper shortages in peaty soils
- Foliar feeding for rapid response — dissolve in water and spray directly onto leaves for visible improvement within days; amino acid chelation bypasses soil lock-up entirely
- Improving fertiliser efficiency — micronutrients are enzyme co-factors; without them, plants cannot fully utilise the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium you are already applying
- Fruit quality and flavour — zinc and boron are essential for fruit set, cell division, and sugar transport; manganese and iron for chlorophyll and photosynthetic efficiency
- Soil biology support — the soy-derived amino acids and peptides are an excellent food source for beneficial soil microorganisms, stimulating microbial diversity and activity
- Stress recovery — transplant shock, cold snaps, waterlogging, and pest damage all deplete micronutrient reserves; a foliar application of chelated micronutrients accelerates recovery
- Container and hydroponic growing — fully soluble with no residue; safe for drip lines, fertigation systems, and recirculating hydroponic setups
Why amino acid chelates instead of EDTA or inorganic salts?
Amino Acid Chelated — Micro-Amino
- Plant-based chelating agent from soy protein hydrolysate
- Small, electrically neutral molecules — high absorption through roots and leaves
- Amino acids are metabolised as nitrogen and carbon — zero waste
- Feeds soil biology — peptides and amino acids stimulate microbial populations
- Low salt index, neutral to slightly acidic — safe for all crops
- Phloem-mobile — amino acid carriers are recognised by the plant's nitrogen transport system
EDTA / DTPA Synthetic Chelates
- Synthetic chelating agents — persistent in soil, not biodegradable
- Effective at maintaining solubility but larger molecular size limits foliar uptake
- Chelating agent is not metabolised — provides no nutritional value
- No benefit to soil biology
- Can mobilise heavy metals in contaminated soils
- Not permitted in most organic growing systems
Every Dr Forest product is made by hand in small batches at our workshop in Stockport, Greater Manchester. We source ingredients for quality, not cost.
The science of amino acid chelated micronutrients
Why micronutrients matter
Plants require at least six metallic micronutrients for normal function: iron, zinc, manganese, copper, molybdenum, and boron. Despite being needed in tiny quantities, each plays irreplaceable roles as enzyme co-factors, electron carriers, and structural components. A deficiency in any one of them limits the plant's ability to use macronutrients — meaning your NPK fertiliser is only as effective as your most deficient micronutrient allows.
The micronutrients in Micro-Amino
| Micronutrient | Key Plant Functions |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Chlorophyll synthesis, electron transport in photosynthesis, enzyme activation. Deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis — yellow leaves with green veins. |
| Zinc (Zn) | Auxin synthesis, protein production, cell elongation. Deficiency causes stunted growth, small leaves, and poor fruit set. |
| Manganese (Mn) | Photosystem II function (water-splitting), enzyme activation, lignin synthesis. Deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis and necrotic spotting. |
| Boron (B) | Cell wall structure, pollen tube growth, sugar transport. Deficiency causes hollow stems, poor fruit set, and cracked fruit. |
| Copper (Cu) | Lignin synthesis, pollen viability, enzyme activation. Deficiency causes wilting, pale leaves, and poor grain fill. |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | Nitrate reductase enzyme — converts nitrate to ammonium inside the plant. Without Mo, nitrogen metabolism stalls even when nitrogen supply is adequate. |
How amino acid chelation works
The Chelation Mechanism
Amino acids contain both a carboxyl group (–COOH) and an amine group (–NH₂), giving them the ability to form stable coordination bonds with metal ions. The resulting chelate is a small, electrically neutral organic molecule — far easier for plant cells to absorb than a free charged ion. The amino acid effectively disguises the mineral, allowing it to pass through cell membranes via the plant's existing amino acid and peptide transport systems.
Phloem Mobility
Free mineral ions are largely restricted to xylem transport — they move upward with transpiration but cannot redistribute within the plant. Amino acid chelates are different. Because the plant recognises them as nitrogen-containing organic molecules, they can enter the phloem — the sugar and nitrogen transport system — and move to wherever demand is greatest. This means a foliar spray of amino acid chelated iron can reach roots, developing fruit, and growing tips, not just the sprayed leaf surface.
Foliar Absorption Advantage
The leaf cuticle is a waxy barrier designed to prevent water loss. Charged mineral ions struggle to cross it. Amino acid chelates, being small uncharged organic molecules, penetrate the cuticle more efficiently — research consistently shows 2–5x greater foliar absorption rates for amino acid chelated minerals compared to inorganic salts. This makes foliar spraying a practical and effective delivery method for rapid deficiency correction.
Dual Nutrition — Mineral + Amino Acid
Once inside the plant, the chelate bond is broken enzymatically. The mineral ion is released for its specific function (enzyme co-factor, electron carrier, structural role), while the amino acid is metabolised as organic nitrogen and carbon. Nothing is wasted. Synthetic chelating agents like EDTA are not metabolised — they persist in the soil and provide no nutritional value beyond maintaining mineral solubility.
Soil Biology Benefits
The soy protein hydrolysate base of Micro-Amino provides a rich source of free amino acids and short-chain peptides to soil microorganisms. Research has demonstrated that protein hydrolysate applications increase rhizosphere microbial diversity and biomass, improve nitrogen cycling efficiency, and enhance the plant's natural nutrient acquisition pathways. The amino acids also act as natural chelators in the soil, improving the availability of existing soil-bound micronutrients.
Soy Protein Hydrolysate — The Source
Micro-Amino is derived from enzymatic hydrolysis of non-GMO soybeans. Enzymatic hydrolysis (as opposed to acid hydrolysis) preserves the L-form amino acids — the biologically active form that plants recognise and metabolise. The resulting hydrolysate contains a broad spectrum of free amino acids and short peptides including glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, and proline — each with specific roles in nitrogen assimilation, mineral chelation, and stress tolerance.
Scientific References
- Colla, G. et al. (2015). Protein hydrolysates as biostimulants in horticulture. Scientia Horticulturae, 196, 28–38.
- Näsholm, T., Kielland, K. & Ganeteg, U. (2009). Uptake of organic nitrogen by plants. New Phytologist, 182(1), 31–48.
- Calvo, P. et al. (2014). Agricultural uses of plant biostimulants. Plant and Soil, 383, 3–41.
- Lucini, L. et al. (2015). The effect of a plant-derived biostimulant on metabolic profiling and crop performance. Scientific Reports, 5, 14199.
- Halpern, M. et al. (2015). The use of biostimulants for enhancing nutrient uptake. Advances in Agronomy, 130, 141–174.
How to use Micro-Amino: application rates & guide
Micro-Amino is a fine, spray-dried powder that dissolves fully in water with no sediment or residue. It can be applied as a foliar spray, root drench, through fertigation or drip systems, and added to compost teas. No straining required. Use fresh solution within 24 hours of mixing.
Application rates
Foliar spray — deficiency correction
Dissolve in water and spray both leaf surfaces in early morning or late evening. Avoid full sun — foliar sprays dry too fast in direct sunlight. Amino acid chelation ensures rapid absorption through the leaf cuticle. Visible improvement in chlorosis typically appears within 5–10 days.
Root drench — soil and container application
Dissolve and apply to the root zone. The amino acid chelation protects micronutrients from soil lock-up, maintaining availability even in alkaline or high-pH conditions where free iron and zinc would normally precipitate.
Hydroponics and fertigation
Fully soluble with no residue — safe for drip lines, NFT, and recirculating systems. Add to the reservoir after mixing main nutrients. Performs a jar test before first use with your existing nutrient solution to confirm compatibility.
Soil fertility — broadcast application
Dissolve in water and apply evenly across the bed surface. Particularly useful for vegetable plots, fruit bushes, and rose beds where regular micronutrient replenishment supports sustained production.
Lawn and turf
Dissolve in water and apply with a watering can or sprayer. Iron and manganese are particularly important for lawn colour and density. The amino acid base feeds soil biology, improving long-term turf health.
Compost tea additive
The amino acids and peptides serve as an excellent microbial food source, boosting biological activity in the tea. The chelated micronutrients become part of the biologically active solution.
Step-by-step preparation
- Measure the powder. 1g is approximately a quarter of a level teaspoon. For a standard 10-litre watering can, measure 10–20g.
- Add to water and stir. Sprinkle powder onto the water surface and stir until fully dissolved. Dissolves quickly with no sediment.
- Apply immediately or within 24 hours. For foliar sprays, use a fine mist sprayer targeting both leaf surfaces. For root drenches, apply evenly around the root zone.
- Store dry powder sealed. Keep in a cool, dry place away from moisture. The powder is hygroscopic — it will absorb moisture if left open.
This product contains boron. Some crops are sensitive to boron — particularly beans, peas, and some ornamentals. Use at the lower end of the rate range on these crops and observe plant response before increasing. Most vegetables, fruit, roses, and turf tolerate boron well at recommended rates.
Use alongside any Dr Forest fertiliser to ensure micronutrient availability matches macronutrient supply. Particularly effective combined with Seaweed Powder (alginic acid further improves mineral chelation) and Fulvic Acid Powder (natural chelator that enhances micronutrient transport). For foliar sprays, tank-mix with Humic Acid solution to improve leaf wetting and uptake.
Frequently asked questions about Micro-Amino
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