Role of Plant Nutrients
Understanding fertilizer begins with knowing the roles that plant nutrients play in a plants growth and development.Below is a list of primary and secondary nutrients required by most plants. Required amounts of these nutrients differ from plant to plant, with nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium being those required in the largest amount.
Primary Nutrients
Nitrogen (N)
An essential component of chlorophyll, hormones, amino acids, and
important proteins, including enzymes and vitamins.
- Produces lush green growth.
- Increases protein content and plant vigor.
- Helps assimilate Phosphorous, Potash, and other plant foods.
Phosphorous (P)
Found in nucleoproteins and in lipoids, or phosphatized fats. Essential to carbohydrate transformations and respiration.
Involved in high energy bonding.
- Stimulates early stem and foliage growth and hardy root formation.
- Hastens maturity.
- Promotes colorful flowers, healthy fruit and seen formation.
Potassium (K)
Not directly incorporated into organic compounds produced by
plants but is a catalyst in converting starch to sugar. Essential to
photosynthesis and cambial activity.
- Gives strength and stability to the plant
- Helps plants resist disease and regulates plant metabolism
- Helps plants resist cold and other adverse conditions
Secondary Nutrients
Boron (B)
Increases mobility of sugars and calcium. Important in cell
division and protein synthesis. Essential to pollination. Affects
flower formation, fruit set, and seed production.
Calcium (Ca)
Often the limiting factor in cell wall formation;
indirectly involved with cell division.
Copper (Cu)
Catalyzes certain reactions in respiration. Component of
some enzymes. Only molybdenum is required in smaller amounts.
Iron (Fe)
Essential to production of chlorophyll, although not a component
of it. Carries electrons in certain functions. Component of
certain enzymes and other proteins. Not readily mobile within the
plant.
Magnesium (Mg)
The metallic component of chlorophyll. Catalyzes certain
reactions and is readily mobile within plants.
Manganese (Mn)
Required in respiratory reactions and in the production of riboflavin and ascorbic acid.
Essential to the reduction of
carbon dioxide in photosynthesis.
Molybdenum (Mb)
Required in the smallest amounts of the essential nutrients (less
than .05 ppm). Important in protein synthesis. Component of
certain enzymes. Involved in nitrogen fixation, as in the nodules on the
roots of legumes.
Sulfur (S)
Component of amino acids and proteins. Functions in the
formation of chlorophyll.
Zinc (Zn)
Required in the production of growth-regulating substances
(hormones). Catalyst in other reactions. Important in the
formation of chlorophyll and in photosynthesis.
Chlorine (Cl)
Essential for the photosynthetic reactions in which water is split
and oxygen is released (the mechanism is not fully understood).
Symptoms of deficiencies are indicated by
leaves wilting, becoming chlorotic, and frequently turning bronze; roots
become stunted.
Sodium (Na)
May be essential for some blue-green algae.
Silicon (Si)
Essential for diatoms (unicellular marine algae). May be required
by some grasses (silicon is very abundant in grasses).
Cobalt (Co)
Required by some blue-green algae, at least those capable of
atmospheric nitrogen fixation.
Soil acidity is measured by indications of pH points and several plant nutrient elements. There is an optimum range of pH points for each nutrient. A soil pH above or below this optimum range can tie up certain nutrient elements, making them unavailable for your plants.
A pH test will tell you if youre having nutrient problems. Our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals can then guide you to the correct fertilizers for your situation.
