Plant Nutrition vs. Plant Fertilization
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 P K Ca Mg S
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 Cu Cl Fe Mn Mo Na Zn
What are the role of nutrients?
What makes plants look Unhealthy? Discoloration of leaves Death of leaf tissue Stunted growth
Examples Discoloration of Leaves
Nutrient Deficiencies N Chlorosis on lower leaves
Nutrient Deficiencies NN Chlorosis of leaves
PP Purplish coloration of leaves Nutrient Deficiencies
K Chlorosis of leaves Brown leaf edges Nutrient Deficiencies
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