scobbie
01-30-2006, 02:05 PM
Soil Nutrients
Elements essential for plant growth
These are normally divided into two groups named major nutrients and minor nutrients according to the quantities required by the plant
Major nutrients ,Nutrient Chemical Symbol ,Importance to Plants Natural Source .
Nitrogen N Synthesis of proteins, chlorophyll Plant residues
Phosphorus P Synthesis of enzymes and the storage of energy. Little natural reserves in the UK.
Potassium K Control of water by osmosis.
Much of UK soil, particularly where derived from igneous rocks, have a good reserve.
Calcium Ca Cell wall synthess, enzyme activity. Vast reserves in calcareous (chalk) soil.
Magnesium Mg Chlorophyll synthesis Reserves in magnesium limestone.
Sulphur S Synthesis of some amino acids (the building blocks for proteins). Rocks and organic material.
There are also three other important macronutrients which may be considered separately
Nutrient
Chemical Symbol
Importance to Plants
Natural Source
Carbon C Synthesis of carbohydrates for strengthening and storage. Carbon dioxide in the air.
Hydrogen H Synthesis of carbohydrates for strengthening and storage. Water.
Oxygen O Synthesis of carbohydrates for strengthening and storage. Air.
Micronutrients
Nutrient
Chemical Symbol
Importance to Plants
Natural Source
Boron Bo Cell division
Manganese Mn Activation of some enzymes
Copper Cu Synthesis of some enzymes important in photosynthesis
Iron Fe Synthesis of chlorophyll, enzyme activity.
Molybdenum Mo Nitrate fixation
Zinc Zn Some enzymes
Cobalt Co
Chlorine Cl Photosynthesis
Silicon Si
There is also a group of nutrients which are not needed by plants but are essential to the horse:
Selenium, Iodine, Chromium, Flourine
Elements essential for plant growth
These are normally divided into two groups named major nutrients and minor nutrients according to the quantities required by the plant
Major nutrients ,Nutrient Chemical Symbol ,Importance to Plants Natural Source .
Nitrogen N Synthesis of proteins, chlorophyll Plant residues
Phosphorus P Synthesis of enzymes and the storage of energy. Little natural reserves in the UK.
Potassium K Control of water by osmosis.
Much of UK soil, particularly where derived from igneous rocks, have a good reserve.
Calcium Ca Cell wall synthess, enzyme activity. Vast reserves in calcareous (chalk) soil.
Magnesium Mg Chlorophyll synthesis Reserves in magnesium limestone.
Sulphur S Synthesis of some amino acids (the building blocks for proteins). Rocks and organic material.
There are also three other important macronutrients which may be considered separately
Nutrient
Chemical Symbol
Importance to Plants
Natural Source
Carbon C Synthesis of carbohydrates for strengthening and storage. Carbon dioxide in the air.
Hydrogen H Synthesis of carbohydrates for strengthening and storage. Water.
Oxygen O Synthesis of carbohydrates for strengthening and storage. Air.
Micronutrients
Nutrient
Chemical Symbol
Importance to Plants
Natural Source
Boron Bo Cell division
Manganese Mn Activation of some enzymes
Copper Cu Synthesis of some enzymes important in photosynthesis
Iron Fe Synthesis of chlorophyll, enzyme activity.
Molybdenum Mo Nitrate fixation
Zinc Zn Some enzymes
Cobalt Co
Chlorine Cl Photosynthesis
Silicon Si
There is also a group of nutrients which are not needed by plants but are essential to the horse:
Selenium, Iodine, Chromium, Flourine