Macronutrients and Micronutrients for Plants

While most gardeners know that all plants require varying amounts of the elements which comprise the three Primary Macronutrients  - Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium - to live a healthy life, the importance of elements classified as secondary macronutrients and micronutrients can be news to even veteran growers.  You may not have realized that calcium, molybdenum and boron are useful to plants in small amounts, but chances are you’ve seen the results of a deficiency in these elements. Strange coloration, stunted growth, and multiple buds in plants can be signs that the soil is lacking in essential macronutrients  and micronutrients.

PRIMARY MACRONUTRIENTS

Nitrogen : Used most out of the three primary macronutrients, nitrogen is the major constituent in chlorophyll and necessary  to encourage strong vegetative growth.

Phosphorous : The second most important primary macronutrient, phosphorous is used for the development of fruits/flowers.

Potassium :Potassium is the third most important primary macronutrient, and typically occurs naturally in the soil. The potassium salts that are necessary for plant cell functioning are referred to as potash.

SECONDARY MACRONUTRIENTS

Calcium : Buffers the soil pH, making it more alkaline, and helps rootlets absorb soil nutrients

Magnesium :  Enzyme activator, and the central element in the chlorophyll molecule

Sulfur : Found in amino acids that make up plant proteins, and activates certain enzyme systems.

MICRONUTRIENTS

Copper :  important for reproduction

Manganese : Works with plant enzymes to help break down carbohydrates and metabolize nitrogen

Iron : Essential for the formation of chlorophyll

Zinc : Regulates consumption of sugar in the plant

Boron : Aids production of sugar and carbohydrates, chlorophyll synthesis

Molybdenum :  Helps the plant capture nitrogen

Chlorine : Required for photosynthesis

Comments

[Suzanne Wilkerson]

Excellent article. Thanks for putting this together!

[Stephanie]

Great Post. Where did you find the chart of the elemental nutritional requirements? I would like to print out a larger version of it for our bulletin board. Thanks!

[zaineb]

yar not getting my anser :@