What is a significant disadvantage of soil applications of some micronutrients?

Soil applications of some micronutrients present a significant disadvantage in that they might not effectively correct existing deficiencies in plants. This is primarily due to several factors including the availability of these nutrients in the soil, the interaction with soil pH, organic matter, and other chemical components that may impede their uptake by plant roots.

When micronutrients are applied to the soil, they must become soluble and accessible for plants to utilize them. However, in certain soil conditions, the micronutrients may remain in a form that is not readily available to plants, thus failing to address the actual deficiency symptoms they may exhibit.

In contrast to this, while enhancing soil microbial activity or being able to blend them with other fertilizers has its advantages, it does not directly relate to the core issue of micronutrient availability to plants in the context of correcting deficiencies. Additionally, while foliar applications can offer a more immediate correction for deficiencies, they do not negate the fact that soil applications alone might not achieve the intended outcomes when existing deficiencies are present.