Exhibit 99.1350CERT

         Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act

I, Terry K. Glenn, President of Merrill Lynch Natural Resources Trust (the
"Fund"), certify that:

      1.    The N-CSR of the Fund (the "Report") fully complies with the
            requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
            Act of 1934; and

      2.    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
            of the Fund.

Dated: September 17, 2004


                                                     /s/ Terry K. Glenn
                                                     ------------------
                                                     Terry K. Glenn,
                                                     President of
                                                     Merrill Lynch Natural
                                                     Resources Trust

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement
required by Section 906, has been provided to Merrill Lynch Natural Resources
Trust and will be retained by Merrill Lynch Natural Resources Trust and
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.



Exhibit 99.1350CERT

         Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act

I, Donald C. Burke, Chief Financial Officer of Merrill Lynch Natural Resources
Trust (the "Fund"), certify that:

      1.    The N-CSR of the Fund (the "Report") fully complies with the
            requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
            Act of 1934; and

      2.    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
            of the Fund.

Dated: September 17, 2004


                                                      /s/ Donald C. Burke
                                                      -------------------
                                                      Donald C. Burke,
                                                      Chief Financial Officer of
                                                      Merrill Lynch Natural
                                                      Resources Trust

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement
required by Section 906, has been provided to Merrill Lynch Natural Resources
Trust and will be retained by Merrill Lynch Natural Resources Trust and
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.