nutrients

MAJOR ELEMENTS (Macro Nutrients)

FUNCTIONAL USES IN PLANT

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS (chlorosis is yellowing of leaves)

Nitrogen (N)

growth & development green leaves & stems; component of most proteins

chlorosis of older, lower leaves; stunting

Phosphorus (P)

promotes root growth & development; energy storage & transfer within plant

purplish coloration; stunted root growth

Potassium (K)

improves cold hardiness, drought tolerance & disease resistance; promotes blooms

poor flowering & fruit formation; brown leaf edges

Sulfur (S)

component of 3 proteins & 2 B vitamins; flavor of onion, garlic & mustard; a fungicide

chlorosis of younger leaves; stunting

Calcium (Ca)

promotes cell division, strong cell walls, & sturdy structure

collapse of cell walls & structural failure; curled leaf tips; stunting

Magnesium (Mg)

component of chlorophyll; essential for photosynthesis

marginal (edges) & interveinal (between veins) chlorosis of older leaves

MINOR ELEMENTS (Micro Trace Elements)

FUNCTIONAL USES IN PLANT

DEFICIENCY SYMTOMS

Iron (Fe)

formation of chlorophyll

interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves

Maganese (Mn)

helps in uptake of carbon dioxide which is used for photosynthesis

mottled interveinal chlorosis of leaves

Boron (B)

development of shoot tips & leaf buds; formation of movement of sugars in plant

tip growth die back & deformed buds

Chlorine (Cl)

stimulates photosynthesis

wilting but rare because present in water

Copper (Cu)

formation of chloropyll & converting sunlight into energy; also a fungcide

leaf chlorosis & shoot tip growth dieback

Molybdenum (Mo)

helps production & use of nitrogen

marginal & interveinal leaf chlorosis of older leaves

Zinc (Zn)

formation of growth hormones

mottled leaf chlorosis, little leaves; rosetting