Soil Nutrients

Modified by the Mewar university Rajasthan. 2013

Nutrients Plants Acquire From Air And

Water

CarbonHydrogenOxygen

The Primary NutrientsNitrogen Potassium

Phosphorus

The Secondary Nutrients

Sulfur

MagnesiumCalcium

The MicronutrientsBoronChlorineCopperIronManganeseMolybdenumZinc

The 16 Essential Nutrients

BoronCalciumCarbonChlorineCopperHydrogenIronMagnesium

ManganeseMolybdenumNitrogenOxygenPhosphorusPotassiumSulfurZinc

Functions Of Primary Nutrients And

Deficiency SymptomsNitrogen (N): most important nutrient besides water; determines rate of growth

deficiency symptom: yellowing of leaves

Phosphorous (P): required during germination and fruit/seed formation

Deficiency symptoms: stunted growth; purple-colored leaves

Potassium (K): regulatoryDeficiency symptoms: stunted growth; mottled leaves

Non-essential Nutrients That Need To Be

ConsideredIodineCobaltSilicon

Why Is A Knowledge Of Soil Nutrients Necessary?

To maximize yieldTo maximize profitTo maintain soil fertility

Determining Soil Fertility

You can use any of the following methods to determine soil fertility:soil testsmanaging organic matterfertilizing

What Is Fertilizer Analysis?

The amount of the different nutrients found in a fertilizer.

It is always listed as a percent.It is always listed Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium (N-P-K).

For example, a fertilizer labeled 10-15-10 is 10% Nitrogen, 15% Phosphorous, and 10% Potassium.

If there is a fourth letter, it designates the nutrient sulfur.

Example Problem For Determining The Amount

Of A Nutrient In A Fertilizer

How many pounds of nitrogen are in a 50 pound bag of 10-15-10?

10% of 50# = 5# Nitrogen

How many pounds of actual nutrients are in a 50 pound bag of 10-15-10?

10+15+10 = 35% nutrients or 17.5#

The other 65% of the bag is inert matter

Example Problem For Determining The Amount

Of Total Nutrients In A Fertilizer

Another Analysis Problem

A hobby gardener buys a bag of "Scott's Turfbuilder" for $31.95.

The bag weighs 62 pounds and has an analysis of 22-3-10.

How many pounds of actual nutrients does the bag contain?

21.7# of nutrients in one bag (22+3+10)=35%35%*62=21.7