Plant Production & Nutrition

NITROGEN (N) – represents life, crucial in the formation of proteins

• Nitrogen is a part of all living cells and is a necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy
• Nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll, the green pigment of the plant that is responsible for photosynthesis
• Helps plants with rapid growth, increasing seed and fruit production and improving the quality of leaf and forage crops

If Deficient

• Slow growth
• Leaves are smaller and yellowish

PHOSPHORUS (P) – the power broker

• Is an essential part of the process of photosynthesis
• Involved in the formation of all oils, sugars, starches, etc.
• Effects rapid growth
• Encourages blooming and root growth

If Deficient

• Poorly developed root system

POTASSIUM (K) – the great regulator

• Potassium is absorbed by plants in larger amounts than any other mineral element except nitrogen and, in some cases, calcium
• Helps in the building of protein, photosynthesis, fruit quality and reduction of diseases

If Deficient

• Small fruits, susceptible to disease

CALCIUM (CA) – is the servant

• An essential part of plant cell wall structure
• Provides for normal transport and retention of other elements
• Provides strength in the plant

If Deficient

• Weak plant

MAGNESIUM (MG) – puts the ‘green’ in green plants

• Important part of chlorophyll in all green plants and essential for photosynthesis
• Activates many plant enzymes needed for growth
• Determines the quality of a crop

If Deficient

• Poor quality crop

SULFUR (S)

• Essential plant food for production of proteins
• Promotes activity and development of enzymes and vitamins
• Helps in chlorophyll formation
• Improves root growth and seed productionHelps with vigorous plant growth and resistance to cold

If Deficient

• Leaves become yellowish green and exhibit a slow stunted growth
• Stems are woody and small in diametre

BORON (B)

• Helps in the use of nutrients and regulates other nutrients
• Aids production of sugar and carbohydrates
• Essential for seed and fruit development

If Deficient

• Small fruit that are brown in colour

COPPER (CU)

• Important for reproductive growth
• Aids in root metabolism and helps in the utilization of proteins

If Deficient

• Probable loss in grain yield
• Probable loss in straw yield

CHLORIDE (CL)

• Aids plant metabolism

If Deficient

• Root growth is slow

IRON (FE)

• Essential for formation of chlorophyll

If Deficient

• Stunted growth and leaves may drop easily

MANGANESE (MN)

• Functions with enzyme systems involved in breakdown of carbohydrates, and nitrogen metabolism

If Deficient

• Reduced plant size and decreased fruit production

MOLYBDENUM (MO)

• Helps in nitrogen metabolism and synthesis of proteins

If Deficient

• Pale leaves that may be scorched, cupped or rolled

ZINC (ZN)

• Essential for the transformation of carbohydrates
• Regulates consumption of sugars
• Part of the enzyme systems which regulate plant growth

If Deficient

• Plants fail to develop normally