Why are nutrients so important to get right?
Much like any animal, proper health is completely essential for a long life and to mature and grow correctly. After one morning without vicamin c or any b vitamins, I'm sure that most people will agree that we need our nutrients just as much as we need oxygen or water. This is the same for plants as well, they require quite a few nutrients and hormones to grow healthily and fully. In addition to all the elements and nutriwents a plant needs (in water souble form), plants need auxins, cytocyanins, abcissic acid, gibberellins, ethylene gas etc.
Nutrients are important in our plants because after all, plants are what's at the bottom of the food chain if for no other reason. If we harvest nutrient low crops we will be eating nutrient low food, so flip that around, and we're growing healthy food to keep us healthy. And to keep plants healthy, in addition to air, water, and soil - plants need all the the following nutrients.
Nutrients are important in our plants because after all, plants are what's at the bottom of the food chain if for no other reason. If we harvest nutrient low crops we will be eating nutrient low food, so flip that around, and we're growing healthy food to keep us healthy. And to keep plants healthy, in addition to air, water, and soil - plants need all the the following nutrients.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen more than any other phytonutrient is absolutely a nessicity for plant life, as well as life outside of the plant kingdom. Nitrogen is essential for the processes of photosynthesis, repiration, as well as being in every amino acid (protein) and within RNA & DNA of all life on earth. Nitrogen is responsible for the ability of plants to photosynthesize and produce chlorophyll, the pigment that turns most plants green. Nitrogen is one the the most widely found substances on earth, however, not in the form plants can readily use it. Nitrogen in the air has to be absorbed by other forms of life and broken down into the soil in a water soluble form in order for plants to actually use it. This is acheived by decomposition, fertilizers, and a high organic soil percentage. Nitrogen can be converted by certain types of 'nitrogen-fixing' bacteria who are able to convert a gaseous nitrogen to a water soluble solid form. This bacteria commonly lives in a co beneficial existense with many members of the bean or Fabaceae family. Nitrogen is also essential as a component of all known alkaloids, and many more complex nutrients as well and without it, life could not be.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is also an extremely important macronutrient for the majority of all plant growth. no other nutrient can do what phosphorus does. Its main role in a plants' life is to serve as a phosphate bond with ATP during photosynthesis, making it possible for the plant to metabolize sugars to keep itself alive. Phosphorus is vital in keeping a healthy and working root mass, and is proven necessary in the uptake of other nutrients. It is required for a healthy growth rate and shape, and without it plants have a hard time maintaining mass and/or any thickness at all as well as not being able to absorb other essential nutrients. Phosphorus is higher featured in fertilizers for increased bloom size, because phosphorus helps the plant maintain mass and structural integrity. When a plant is too low in phosphorus, the edges of its leaves may dry and purple (especially in younger plants). Blooms will delay or seize to happen, and certainly won't be as full as if with adequate P.
Potassium
Potassium, shown as a K on the periodic table is also essential to plant life and growth. Potassium controls the opening and closing of the stomata, the turgidity/flaccidity of a plant, as well as helps to regulate the phloem (aiding greatly in fruit formation and taste), aids in photosynthesis, and protein synthesis essential for growth. Potassium is not understood nearly as well as nitrogen or phosphorus as far as every specific function K is essential for. Symptoms that a plant is not getting enough potassium are very similar to symptoms of a phosphorus deficiency. Leaves begin to dry out and curl up on the edges. Fruits loose moisture and flavor quality. The plant as a whole, during a potassium deficiency is at a higher risk for bacterial/viral/pest infestations, as potassium plays a vital role in the immune system of plants. Potassium plays a role in the uptake and use of silicon by the plant, fortifying its cell walls and protecting it from infections/infestations. Other symptoms specific to Potassium deficiency include yellowing of the leaf veins, copper colored spots appearing on undersides of leaves, abnormal or colorless fruits, or a weak and unfortified physiology.
Secondary Macronutrients
- fPlants need a vaeriety of other nutrients aside from the big three it uses. In addion to NPK, plants use a considerable amount of the following, depending on species.
Silicon - Silicon is one of the most abundant elements in the world, making up cell walls and cell membrane of every living thing ever. With this said, it's easy to believe that plants need silicon to produce healthy tissue and especially fruits. Plants with considerably burly roots or stems often are very high in silicon.
Calcium
- Calcium is used by a plant to build strong cell walls. When dolomite lime is added to a soil to counteract acidity and bring the pH up to the level appropriate for vegetables, large amounts of calcium and magnesium are added. Other sources of calcium are superphosphate and gypsum. Using too much fertilizer high in potassium will reduce the ability of plants to take up both calcium and magnesium.
- Sulfur is essential to protein formation and in the production of chlorophyll. Adequate amounts improve seed production, root growth, plant vigor and cold resistance. It is taken up by plants as a sulfate ion, soluble in water and easily leached from the soil. A deficiency is shown by a tendency toward spindly, yellowed growth and is most common in sandy soils that are low in organic matter. Sources of sulfur include rainwater, gypsum and the decomposition in the soil of organic matter such as manure and compost.
- Magnesium is needed to create chlorophyll, the green substance that plays an essential part in photosynthesis. It also plays a role in enzyme activation. A deficiency of magnesium produces white stripes between the green veins of the leaves. Dolomite lime is one of the best sources, but organic matter and soil minerals contain magnesium also.
Read more: Calcium, Sulfur & Magnesium for Plants | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8510948_calcium-sulfur-magnesium-plants.html#ixzz2SFOZl1ya
Other Micronutrients
Even though plants use a whole lot more macronutrients than they do of these, these can be just as vital to a plants' health and growth. Plants that are sufficent rather than deficent in all of these will look and grow much healthier. These micronutrients are composed of: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and sodium (Na). These are used in much lesser quantities, but are essential none the less.
Plants uptake and use nutrients in various different ways. Some of the most overlooked nutrients are Oxygen, CO2, and H2O. These are always so present that sometimes we forget to check that these three are plentiful and pure. Plants can only use water soluable nutrients so all plants mustget their nutrients already made into a tea for them as it comes to their roots.
Plants uptake and use nutrients in various different ways. Some of the most overlooked nutrients are Oxygen, CO2, and H2O. These are always so present that sometimes we forget to check that these three are plentiful and pure. Plants can only use water soluable nutrients so all plants mustget their nutrients already made into a tea for them as it comes to their roots.