All living things need some source of fuel for energy and maintaining normal functions of it’s life cycle. Plants are no different. To grow the flowers people enjoy looking at or the fruits and vegetables they like, and need, to eat, some type type of fuel is needed. For the plant world this fuel is the sun, water, and the nutrients provided by the soil it grows in. The primary macro nutrients plants need are nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), and potassium(K). The secondary macro-nutrients are calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), and Sulfur(S). In addition to these, the micro-nutrients boron(B), Copper(Cu), chloride(Cl), iron(Fe), manganese(Mn), molybdenum(Mo), and zinc(Zn), are essential. There is some discussion as to whether silicon, nickel, and cobalt are essential as well. Whether by nature or added by the gardener, these nutrients are needed, but how do plant nutrients affect plants, what exactly do they do?
The Primary Macro-nutrients
Nitrogen(N)-
Different plants need different quantities, and at different stages of growth. The building block of most plant structures, nitrogen is essential for growth and the creation of chlorophyll, plant enzymes, and proteins. Since nitrogen helps in nutrient absorption and stimulates root growth and plant development, proper levels early in the plants formation is vital. Leafy plants use more nitrogen, root vegetables not as much, and fruiting plants would need more nitrogen early but less when fruit is developing.
Phosphorus(P)-
A primary avenue of energy distribution in the plant, phosphorus is essential for processes like photosynthesis. Through the determination of cell types, phosphorus helps create job specific tissue that encourages fast growth, bloom and root development, and stress resistance.
Potassium(K)-
A key, literally, to plant enzymes, potassium turns on the functions of over 60 of these vital chemicals. Potassium also helps the plant make more efficient use of water and aid in defending against stress. Another assistant in the photosynthesis process, this plant nutrient also helps build immunity to disease, and improve the quality of fruit.
The Secondary Macro-nutrients
Calcium(Ca)-
Like building bones in your body, calcium is involved in the cell wall structure, thereby helping to build strong plants.
Magnesium(Mg)-
A key ingredient, magnesium is essential for photosynthesis production.
Sulfur(S)-
An aid to seed growth and plant resistance to cold, sulfur also permits plant production of protein, enzymes, and vitamins.
Micro-nutrients
Micro-nutrients are essential plant nutrients, but are needed in much smaller amounts as compared to macro-nutrients.
Boron(B)-By helping produce sugar and carbohydrates, boron is important in seed and fruit production.
Copper(Cu)-An aid to plant reproduction.
Chloride(Cl)-Assists in plant metabolism.
Iron(Fe)-Another ingredient in formation of chlorophyll.
Manganese(Mn)-Helps modify carbohydrates and nitrogen so it can be more readily used by the plant.
Molybdenum(Mo)-Used to break down nitrogen into usable form.
Zinc(Zn)-Helps to control the use of sugars by the plant, thereby regulating growth.
As you can see plant nutrients affect plants in many ways. Like the vitamins and minerals they produce, the plant nutrients also have specific tasks they perform.
