Roles of The 16 Essential Nutrients in Plants Development
Sixteen plant food nutrients are essential for proper crop development. Each is equally important to the plant, yet each is required in vastly different amounts. These differences have led to the grouping of these essential elements into three categories; primary (macro) nutrients, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients. PRIMARY (MACRO) NUTRIENTS Primary (macro) nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They are the most frequently required in a crop fertilization program. Also, they are need in the greatest total quantity by plants as fertilizer. NITROGEN · Necessary for formation of amino acids, the building blocks of protein · Essential for plant cell division, vital for plant growth · Directly involved in photosynthesis · Necessary component of vitamins · Aids in production and use of carbohydrates · Affects energy reactions in the plant PHOSPHORUS · Involved in photosynthesis, respiration, energy storage and transfer, cell division, and enlargement · Promot