Plant Nutrition Vs Plant Fertilization

Nutrition:

Availability and type of chemical

elements

in plant

Fertilization:

Adding nutrients to soil

Nutrients

16 elements: C, H, O, Macronutrients Micronutrients

Macronutrients Nutrients required in

large quantities N (Nitrogen)

P (Phosphorus) K (Potassium) Ca (Calcium) Mg (Magnesium) S (Sulfur)

Primary Nutrients N P K

Primary because they are

needed in large amounts

Secondary Macronutrients

Ca Mg S

Only moderate amounts required

Micronutrients(Nutrients needed in small

quantities)

B (Boron) Cu (Copper) Cl (Chlorine) Fe (Iron) Mn

(Manganese)

Mo (Molybdenum)

Na (Sodium) Zn (Zinc)

What are the role of nutrients?Refer to Handout

What makes plant look Unhealthy?

Discoloration of leaves

Death of leaf tissue

Stunted growth

Examples

Discoloration

of

Leaves

Chlorosis Chlorosis is a yellowing of leaf tissue due to a

lack of chlorophyll. Possible causes of chlorosis include poor drainage, damaged roots, compacted roots, high alkalinity, and nutrient deficiencies in the plant. Nutrient deficiencies may occur because there is an insufficient amount in the soil or because the nutrients are unavailable due to a high pH (alkaline soil). Or the nutrients may not be absorbed due to injured roots or poor root growth.

Nutrient Deficiencies N

Chlorosis on

lower leaves

Nutrient Deficiencies

N

Chlorosis of

leaves

P

Purplish

coloration

of leaves

K

Chlorosis

of leaves

Brown leaf edges

K

Chlorosis

of leaves

Brown leaf edges

Nutrient Deficiencies

S: yellowing of entire plant; leaves

How can you correct nutrient deficiency?

Fertilizer

What is fertilizer?

Any material added to the soil to

provide nutrients that will increase

growth, yield, or nutritional value of

the plants.

Fert Classifications Inorganic

Natural Organic

Synthetic Organic

Inorganic Fert

Non-living sources (minerals/rocks)

Chemically made

Inorganic Fert

Characteristics: Nutrients in soluble form

and quickly made available to plants

Should not come in contact with roots

or foliage for long time period

Natural Organic From plant/animal material

Characteristics: N usually predominant Nutrients are only made available to

the plants as the materials decay in soil, so SLOW ACTING & LONG LASTING

Natural Organic

Examples: Animal manure Cottonseed meal Soybean meal Dried blood Dried ground/sewage sludge Bone meal

Synthetic Organic Fert

Made from carbon based materials