Plant Nutrition

Macronutrients Required by Plants

• Macronutrients are essential elements needed in large quantities for plant growth and development.
• Primary macronutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
• An element that is not considered a macronutrient must be specified; typically, micronutrients or non-essential trace elements fit this description.

Micronutrients Required by Plants

• Micronutrients are crucial for plants but are required in smaller amounts compared to macronutrients.
• Examples include iron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and boron.
• An element not categorized as a micronutrient is also needed to be identified.

Justus von Liebig’s Law of the Minimum

• This law posits that plant growth is limited by the nutrient that is in the shortest supply, regardless of the presence of other nutrients.
• If an essential nutrient is lacking, it can lead to poor growth and development, as plants cannot compensate for deficiencies.

Nutrients Absorbed by Plants from the Air

• Essential elements obtained from the air include carbon dioxide and oxygen.
• Plants utilize carbon dioxide during photosynthesis to produce energy.

Nutrients Typically Obtained from Soil

• Essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements are absorbed from the soil.
• Soil quality and composition significantly influence the availability of these nutrients to plants.