Plant Nutrition

Plant Nutrition Group: Together

Nutrients required by plant • Macronutrient – Oxygen – Hydrogen – Magnesium – Aluminium – Silicon – Calcium – Potassium – sodium

• Micronutrient – Ferum – Boron – Manganese – Zinc – Copper

FUNCTION OF NUTRIENT • Macro  Nitrogen- Helps plants with rapid growth, increasing seed and fruit production and improving the quality of leaf and forage crops.   Phosphorus- Essential part of the process of photosynthesis. Involved in the formation of all oils, sugars, starches.  Potassium- Helps in the building of protein, photosynthesis, fruit quality and reduction of diseases.

• Micro  Boron-Aids production of sugar and carbohydrates. Essential for seed and fruit development.   Copper- Important for reproductive growth. Aids in root metabolism and helps in the utilization of proteins.   Manganese- Functions with enzyme systems involved in breakdown of carbohydrates, and nitrogen metabolism. 

Plant Nutrient Deficiencies Macronutrient

• Calcium (Ca)

– Symptoms: New leaves are distorted or hook shaped. The growing tip may die. Contributes to blossom end rot in tomatoes, tip burn of cabbage and brown/black heart of escarole & celery.

• Nitrogen (N) – Symptoms: Older leaves, generally at the bottom of the plant, will yellow. Remaining foliage is often light green. Stems may also yellow and may become spindly. Growth slows.

• Magnesium (Mg) – Symptoms: Slow growth and leaves turn pale yellow, sometimes just on the outer edges. New growth may be yellow with dark spots.

• Phosphorus (P) – Symptoms: Small leaves that may take on a reddish-purple tint. Leaf tips can look burnt and older leaves become almost black. Reduced fruit or seed production.

• Potassium (K) – Symptoms: Older leaves may look scorched around the edges and/or wilted. Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between the leaf veins) develops.

• Sulfur (S) – Symptoms: New growth turns pale yellow, older growth stays green. Stunts growth.

Micronutrient • Boron (B) – Symptoms: Poor stem and root growth. Terminal (end) buds may die. Witches brooms sometimes form.

• Copper (Cu) – Symptoms: Stunted growth. Leaves can become limp, curl, or drop. Seed stalks also become limp and bend over.

• Manganese (Mn) – Symptoms: Growth slows. Younger leaves turn pale yellow, often starting between veins. May develop dark or dead spots. Leaves, shoots and fruit diminished in size. Failure to bloom

• Zinc (Zn) – Symptoms: Yellowing between veins of new growth. Terminal (end) leaves may form a rosette.

fertilize r

organic

inorganic

Organic Fertilizer • Organic fertilizers are made from naturally occurring substances, and include byproducts or waste remains of the animals. • Dead plants and dead animal remains are also often used as fertilizers in organic farming. • They are naturally chemical-rich.

• Examples of naturally occurring organic fertilizers include manure , urine, peat, seaweed and guano. • Examples of manufactured organic fertilizers include compost, dried blood, bone meal and seaweed extracts. Other examples are natural enzyme digested proteins, fish meal, and feather meal.

• Advantages – Improve the structure of the soil. – Retain soil moisture. – Release nitrogen slowly and consistently. – Mobilize existing soil nutrients.

• Disadvantages – Often Organic fertilizers, especially those that contain animal and plant feces are contaminated with pathogens. Make sure they are properly composted to reduce the risk of pathogens.

Inorganic fertilizer • The main difference between a chemical fertilizer and an organic fertilizer is that the chemical ones come out of a lab and the organic one comes from living beings. • A chemical fertilizer is synthetically prepared to include the vital nutrients that are necessary for the plant growth process.

• Inorganic or Chemical Fertilizers are primarily derived from chemical compounds such as – ammonium nitrate – ammonium phosphates – potassium chloride. – Chilean sodium nitrate – mined rock phosphate – limestone

• Advantage – Accurate source of nutrients.

• Disadvantage – Inorganic Fertilizers if used carelessly can burn your plants and distort the quality of your soil leading to cadmium poisoning.