Plant Nutrition

Floral Careers Plant Propagation

Non-fertilizer Nutrients

Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H) and Oxygen (O). These elements are supplied to the plant in

the water and carbon dioxide it absorbs for photosynthesis.

All 3 are essential, non-fertilizer macroelements (or macronutrients).

Macroelements

Macroelements are elements required by plants in relatively large quantities.

In addition to C, H, and O, 6 other elements are recognized as macroelements.

Macroelements

They are:• Nitrogen (N)• Phosphorous (P)• Potassium (K)• Calcium (Ca)• Magnesium (Mg)• Sulfur (S)

Microelements Microelements are elements needed by

plants in very small quantities. Microelements are just as important as

macroelements.

Microelements There are 8 essential microelements:

• Iron (Fe)• Copper (Cu)• Zinc (Zn)• Manganese (Mn)• Boron (B)• Molybdenum (Mo)• Chlorine (Cl)• Nickel (Ni)

The Essential Elements

Carbon (C)

Hydrogen (H)

Oxygen (O)

+ 6 Macroelements

+ 8 Microelements =

17

Essential Elements

for

Plant Growth

Deficiency Symptoms of the Macroelements and Iron

Nitrogen Deficiency General chlorosis

(yellowing) of the leaves.

Older leaves showing symptoms first.

N deficiency in potato

Phosphorous Deficiency Reduced plant size Darkened foliage with

a purplish cast.

P deficiency in corn

Potassium Deficiency Margins eventually

turning brown. Symptoms develop on

lower leaves first.

K deficiency on red currant

Calcium Deficiency Young leaves are

prominently malformed. Poor root development.

Ca deficiency on sugar beet

Magnesium Deficiency

Interveinal chlorosis. Starts on the older

leaves and progresses towards the top of the plant.

Mg deficiency on grape

Sulfur Deficiency

A chlorosis develops which affects the entire plant except the very tip.

Symptoms similar to a nitrogen deficiency.

Iron Deficiency

Interveinal chlorosis developing on the youngest leaves first.

Damage confined to the upper regions of the plant.

Fe deficiency on cherry

The End