Most Important Nutrients for Growth of the PLANTS

plant depends on nutrients in the soil for its metabolic reaction, but because of continuous use of the soil as plants are harvested; it dwindles, which result in a reduction in the quality and yield of plants. Fertilizers replace these nutrients that are taken from the soil by growing plants. Fertilizers are any substance that is added to the soil to provide one or more of the chemical elements essential for plant nutrition.

Some commercial fertilizers available today supply only one nutrient; others are mixtures of two or more nutrients. The composition of a mixed fertilizer is usually indicated by a set of numbers on the fertilizer container. The first number indicates the percentage of nitrogen, the second is the percentage of phosphorus pentoxide, and the third is the percentage of potash. Thus, a mixed fertilizer marked 5-10-10 contains 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus pentoxide, and 10% potash.

Three most important plant nutrients provided by fertilizers: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium.

Nutrients that the Plant needs: Except forcarbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which are supplied by air and water, all other essential plant nutrients mentioned below is usually present in the soil.

  • The nutrients that is needed most by the plant are; calcium (is the nutrient that needs the highest quantity), magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. These elements are generally required in quantities ranging from 10 to 400 pounds per acre.
  • It also needs micronutrients like boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. They generally required in quantities of about 6 grams per hectare of molybdenum to 280 kg per hectare of iron and manganese.

When plants do not receive enough of the essential nutrients, they often show certain deficiency symptoms. If these deficiency is not corrected it will result in poor crop.

Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiencies:

  • Nitrogen - growth of plant is stunned; plants become pale yellow in color; leaf edges become reddish brown.
  • Phosphorus - root growth is stunted; thin stalk; maturity of plant is delayed; plant becomes purplish in color.
  • Potassium -plant stems are weakened; leaf edges appear brown and dry.
  • Calcium - leaf edges become curly; terminal buds may die; blossoms lose their petals prematurely.
  • Magnesium - leaves become thin and brittle; leaves lose their color at the tips and the areas between the veins.
  • Sulfur - lower leaves of the plant becomes yellowish in color, roots and stems are small.
  • Boron - terminal buds are light green; dark spots appear on the roots; stems crack.
  • Copper - plants develop bleached appearance.
  • Iron - leaves become yellow but veins remain green; leaves curl upward.
  • Manganese - symptoms are similar to those of iron deficiency; also, spots of dead tissue on the leaves may drop out, giving the leaves a ragged appearance.
  • Molybdenum - symptoms are similar to those of nitrogen deficiency.
  • Zinc - terminal leaves are dwarfed; bud formation is reduced.

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