Types of Soil Nutrients

SOIL NUTRIENTS

Plants pull the nutrients from the soil through their roots. These nutrients are grouped into Macro-nutrients and Micro-nutrients.

Macro-nutrients are needed at high levels in the plants, and consist of the familiar Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, usually abbreviated “N-P-K”.

Micro-nutrients are just as essential as macro-nutrients, but in lesser quantities.

Macro-nutrients and their use in plants:

• Carbon- Air- Sugars, fats, proteins, DNA, etc.
• Oxygen- Air/Water- Sugars, fats, proteins, DNA, etc.
• Hydrogen- Water- Sugars, fats, proteins, DNA, etc. pH regulation
• Nitrogen- Soil- Proteins
• Potassium- Soil- Ion balance in the cell
• Phosphorus- Soil- Molecules used in all chemical reactions
• Sulfur- Soil- Proteins, co-enzymes
• Calcium- Soil- Cell wall
• Magnesium- Soil- Chlorophyll, enzymes
• Silicon- Cell Wall

Micro-nutrients and their use in plants:

• Chlorine- Photosynthesis, ion balance in cells
• Iron- Chlorophyll, enzymes
• Boron- Carbohydrate metabolism
• Manganese- enzyme function, root growth, and chlorophyll synthesis
• Sodium- Photosynthesis, ion balance in cells
• Zinc- Enzyme function
• Copper- Enzyme function
• Nickel- Enzyme function
• Molybdenum- Nitrogen metabolism
• Cobalt- Vitamin B12

Soil nutrient demands are specific for each crop, and should be measured through a soil nutrient test. If the soil is deficient in a certain nutrient, critical life stages will not be completed or the deficiency can lead to plant stress or death.

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27-03-2016