Micronutrient fertilizers and methods of making and using the same

A fertilizer in solid form, the fertilizer comprising a micronutrient metal polyphosphate composition, the micronutrient metal polyphosphate comprising at least 10 wt. % zinc and being derived from a reaction mixture comprising phosphoric acid, zinc, and optionally, one or more micronutrient metals selected from the group consisting of chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, and manganese, provided, however, the amount of phosphoric acid is less than the stoichiometric amount required for the complete conversion of the zinc and optional micronutrient metals in the reaction mixture to the corresponding dihydrogen phosphates and, wherein the micronutrient metal phosphate composition is characterized by having an X-ray diffraction reflection at one or more of the following positions:

• 6.88 (±0.07), 4.834 (±0.025), 4.24 (±0.02), 3.38 (±0.01), 2.848 (±0.009), 2.585 (±0.007), 2.430 (±0.007), 2.071 (±0.005), 1.934 (±0.004), 1.80 (±0.003), 1.667 (±0.0028), 1.660 (±0.0027), 1.620 (±0.0027) Å.