What are the essential nutrients for plants?

Netsol Water Solutions Private Limited

Soil is an important source of nutrients that plants need to grow. The three major nutrients are
nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Together they form a trio called NPK.
Other important nutrients are calcium, magnesium, and sulphur. Since plants need some trace
elements, they also need small amounts of iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum, so-
called trace elements. The role of these nutrients in plant growth is complex and this document is
only a brief overview.

ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS:

Nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen is an important factor for plant growth. It occurs in all plant cells, plant proteins and
hormones, as well as chlorophyll. Atmospheric nitrogen is a source of soil nitrogen. Some plants,
such as legumes, fix atmospheric nitrogen to their roots. Otherwise, fertilizer plants use nitrogen in
the air to produce ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, and urea. When applied to soil,
nitrogen is converted to nitrate in the mineral form, which plants can absorb.

High organic matter soils, such as black soils, generally have a higher nitrogen content than other
soils. Nitrate is easily washed away from the soil by heavy rain, leading to acidification of the soil.
In organic forms such as composted fertilizers to allow plants to make the most of it or to reduce
leachate, they often need to add small amounts of nitrogen.

Phosphorus (P)

Phosphorus helps transfer energy from sunlight to plants, stimulates early root and plant growth,
and promotes maturation. All fertilizers contain phosphorus. Manure from grain-eating animals is
a particularly abundant source.

Potassium (K)

Potassium can increase plant vitality and disease resistance, help plant starch, sugar and oil
formation and transfer, and improve fruit quality. Potassium is deficient in much of the sandy
soils. Significant removal of potassium can also occur in soils used for intensive grazing and
intensive horticulture (such as bananas and custards). Potassium salts and potassium sulphate are
the most common sources of potassium.

Calcium (Ca.)

Calcium is essential for root health, new root and hair growth, and leaf development. It is generally
rare in acidic soils. Lime, gypsum, dolomite, and superphosphate (a mixture of calcium phosphate
and calcium sulphate) all provide calcium. Lime is the cheapest and best option. Dolomite helps
with magnesium and calcium deficiency, but long-term use results in an imbalance between
calcium and magnesium. Superphosphate is useful when you need calcium and phosphorus.

Magnesium (Mg.)

Magnesium is an important component of chlorophyll, the green pigment of plants, and is

essential for photosynthesis (the conversion of solar energy into food for plants). Deficiency mainly
occurs in sandy acidic soils in high rainfall areas, especially when used in intensive horticulture
and dairy farming. High levels of potassium in fertilizers can also lead to magnesium deficiency.
Banana farmers consume large amounts of potassium, so banana farmers need to be aware of
magnesium levels. Magnesium deficiency can be overcome with dolomite (a mixture of magnesium
carbonate and calcium), magnetite (magnesium oxide), or Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate).

Sulphur (S)

Sulphur is an amino acid component of plant proteins and is involved in the energy production
process of plants. It is responsible for many flavours and odours of plants, such as onion and
cabbage scents.

Sulphur deficiency is not a problem in soils with high organic matter content, but it is easily
washed away. The main fertilizer sources are superphosphate, gypsum, elemental sulphur, and
ammonium sulphate.

Trace elements

Iron (Fe) Iron is a component of many growth-regulating and growth-promoting compounds.

Manganese (Mn.) Manganese aids in photosynthesis. It is freely available in acidic soils and is
often toxic in highly acidic soils but can be deficient in sandy soils. Toxicity is removed with lime.

Copper (Cu) Copper is an essential component of plant enzymes and in readily soils but may be
deficient in red soils. Excessive use of another trace element, molybdenum, can lead to copper
deficiency in animals. Toxicity can be a problem for gardeners who regularly use Bordeaux
mixtures or oxycopper chloride sprays to control diseases of garden crops.

Zinc (Zn) Zinc helps produce plant hormones that are involved in stem and leaf elongation. It is
readily available in acidic soils but binds easily to iron in red soils. It can be easily cured by adding
zinc sulphate or ground zinc minerals. Zinc can be sprayed on the fruit trees.

Boron (B) Boron helps form the cell wall of rapidly growing tissue. Deficiency reduces the
absorption of calcium and impairs the ability of plants to use it.

Molybdenum (Mo) Molybdenum is especially needed for legumes as it helps bacteria and soil
organisms convert nitrogen in the air to soluble nitrogen compounds in the soil. It is also
important in forming proteins from soluble nitrogen compounds.