Soil Nutrients

By:

Objectives

• Know the definition of deficiency, nutrient, toxicity, macronutrient, micronutrient.

• Identify the plant deficiencies from pictures

• Evaluate a plant to identify the nutrient absorption rate.

Terms and Definitions

• Nutrient – Element necessary for plant growth and reproduction.

• Deficiency – Plant condition where an essential nutrient is not sufficiently available.

• Micronutrient – Nutrient needed in smaller quantities

Terms and Definitions

• Macronutrient – Nutrient needed in larger quantities

• Toxicity – A point that is reached where too much of a nutrient becomes poisonous

Primary and Secondary Nurtrients

• Nitrogen

• Phosphorus

• Potassium

• Calcium

• Magnesium

• Sulfur

Nitrogen Functions

• Gives plants the green coloring

• Makes up 1% to 4% of plant’s harvested material

• Induces vigorous, rapid growth in plants

• 98% of the planet’s nitrogen is in the primary rock of the Earth, the remaining 2% is in the atmosphere

• Most readily absorbed

Nitrogen Deficiency Symptoms

• Chlorosis – Yellowing in color of leaves

• Plant growth is stunted

Phosphorus

• Stimulates root growth

• Important for plant cells genetic material and energy transfer with ATP

3rd most readily absorbed

Phosphorus Deficiency Symptoms

• Stunted Growth

• Purplish coloring of leaves

Potassium

• Production and translocation of carbohydrates

• Water intake and respiration

• Stiffens stalks and straws

• 2nd most readily absorbed

Potassium Deficiency Symptoms

• Shorter and weaker plants

• Bronzing or a browning of leaf color

Magnesium

• Vital for photosynthesis

• Chlorophyll or the green coloring of the plant

• Needed for protein synthesis

Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms

• Leaves curl along the margins

• Leaf parts show a whitish color

Calcium

• Gives plant strength

• Stimulates formation of nitrates

• Promotes root and leaf growth

Calcium Deficiency Symptoms

• Chlorosis beginning in the leaf edges and moving inward

• Terminal buds become distorted

Sulfur

• Stimulates seed production

• Necessary for nodule formation on legumes

• Affects protein and crop quality

Sulfur Deficiency Symptoms

• Similar symptoms to that of a nitrogen deficiency

• Stunted appearance

Micronutrients in Plants

• Iron

• Maganese

• Boron

• Molybdenum

• Copper

• Zinc

• Chlorine

References

Laca, Andrew. “Ag Lesson Plans in Power Point”. Soil Furtility. 19 May 2001. Glen Rose FFA, Glen Rose., USA. 27 Feb 2005 <http://www.glenroseffa.org/lesson%20plans.htm>

Primal Seeds. 26 Oct 2002. 27 Feb 2005 <http://www.primalseeds.org/nutrients>

Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms on Agronomic Crops. 12 June 2002. 27 Feb 2005 <http://www.nrs.mcgill.ca/whalen/nutrient/symptom.html>