Why is iron added in hydroponics along with chelating agent?

Also what is chelating agent ?

Dear Student,

Chelation is described as the combination of a metal ion with a chemical compound to form a ring by the help of one or more hydrogen bonding. Chelation is used in the industrial separation and extraction of metals and to treat metal poisoning. The compounds which adds with the metal ion is called a chelate or chelating agent. Iron is added in hydroponics in order to prevent the solution from precipitating .

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