What is the importance of zinc in agriculture

Zinc is needed strongly for the development of plants. It is one of the eighth essential micronutrients. In India, Zinc (Zn) is now considered as the fourth most important yield-limiting nutrient in agricultural crops.
Deficiency in Zinc might result in a significant reduction in crop yields and quality. In fact, yield can be reduced by over 20% before any visual symptoms of the deficiency.
In plants, zinc is a key constituent of many enzymes and protein synthesis.
It plays an important role in a wide range of processes, such as growth hormone production and internode elongation.
It is often deficient in alkaline, rocky soil.
Young leaves of Zinc deficient plants are small with yellow interveinal mottling.
Soil application of Zinc Sulphate @ 20 kg/acre is recommended to reduce the damage.