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After more than 10 years of research and trials, SQM, in collaboration with world-renowned scientists, has discovered that iodine is an essential micronutrient for plants that is not often discussed in the agricultural sphere.

Iodine is present everywhere, but only in small amounts, and is an essential nutrient for human and animal development. However, most major agricultural soils and irrigation water contain very low concentrations of this element, in a form that is generally not available for plant uptake.

“A culture of innovation has always been present in SQM’s developments. The world is constantly changing and it is important for the company to adapt by taking advantage of new opportunities, combining its current competitive advantages and its deep knowledge of the agricultural business to continue leading the specialty plant nutrient business,” commented Pablo Altimiras, Executive VP of Nitrates & Iodine.

“For more than 10 years now, SQM has been collaborating with world-renowned scientists to research iodine’s crucial role as an essential nutrient in plant nutrition,” affirmed Harmen Tjalling Holwerda, Senior Director of Business Development in SQM’s Nitrates and Iodine Business Unit and co-author of the scientific publication, “Evidences for a Nutritional Role of Iodine in Plants” (2021) https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.616868/full . The study described the effects of iodine on plants in three distinct ways: in the plant’s physical and behavioral characteristics, in its gene expression and, for the first time, in the identification of 82 iodinated proteins. “The benefits of iodine at very low concentrations that were identified in the trials include improvements in root development, growth of aerial parts of plants, photosynthesis, timely flowering and better yields compared to control subjects–a clear indication of the role of iodine in plant nutrition. Because SQM is committed to advancing knowledge of mineral fertilizers, we decided to support this crucial research, which has led to the discovery of the importance of this micronutrient for plants.”

In response to the above findings, and thanks to SQM’s productive synergy, a specialized fertilizer with iodine for fertigated crops, named Utrasol®ine, has been introduced to the market, enabling producers to apply iodine as a nutritional microelement for plants in a way that is 100% safe and at doses scientifically proven to be effective.

SQM has conducted extensive tests around the world and is backed by more than 100 documented trials with growers on the most agronomically relevant crops.

Uses of Nitrates and Iodine

SQM is the leading producer of iodine and nitrates of natural origin, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate and special blends. Potassium nitrate is a natural, chlorine-free and highly soluble fertilizer that optimizes water use in agriculture when applied using the most sophisticated irrigation technologies, thereby increasing the quality and yields of high value crops.  Iodine is used in a wide range of medical, industrial and agricultural applications and in human and animal nutritional products.

SQM has an integrated value chain that extends from production to marketing, offering high-value products to its customers in more than 100 countries on 5 continents. SQM is a global company with a team of people committed to excellence. Its activities focus on the extraction of minerals that can be selectively integrated into the processing and sale of products for industries essential for human progress.