plant nutrients

341.T1

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

Nutrients Essential to Plant Growth

Plant Nutrients

• Plant nutrients are divided into three main categories:

–Primary nutrients

–Secondary nutrients

–Micronutrients

341.T2



Primary Nutrients

• Primary nutrients are needed by the plant in large quantities.

• There are six nutrients in this category:

- Carbon (C) - Phosphorus (P)

- Hydrogen (H) - Nitrogen (N)

- Oxygen (O) - Potassium (K)

341.T3



Secondary Nutrients

• Secondary nutrients are needed in quantities which are lower than primary, but greater than micronutrients. These nutrients are:

- Sulfur (S) - Iron (Fe)

- Calcium (Ca) - Magnesium (Mg)

341.T4



Micronutrients

• Micronutrients are needed in very small amounts, and are the greatest in number.

- Molybdenum (Mo) - Zinc (Zn)

- Boron (B) - Chlorine (Cl)

- Copper (Cu) - Manganese (Mn)

341.T5



Nitrogen (N)

• Function:– Promotes rapid

vegetative growth.– Gives the plant a

healthy green color.

• Deficiency Symptoms:– Stunted growth.– Pale yellowish

color.– Burning of tip

margins on leaves.

341.T6



Phosphorus (P)

• Functions:– Stimulates early

growth and root formation.

– Promotes seed growth.– Hastens maturity.– Makes plants hardy.

• Deficiency Symptoms:– Small growth.– Spindly stalk.– Delayed maturity.– Purplish color of leaves.– Dying of tips of older

leaves.– Poor fruit and seed

development.

341.T7



Potassium (K)

• Functions:– Improves plant’s

ability to resist disease and cold.

– Aids in production of carbohydrates.

• Deficiency Symptoms:– Slow growth.– Margins of older leaves

appear scorched.– Weak stalk.– Shriveled fruit or seed.

plant nutrients

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