Integrated Nutrient Management (Nutrient Management Plan ) A Series of Lecture By Mr. Allah Dad Khan

Mr. Allah Dad Khan

What is “Real” Plant Food? To be considered “food”, it must supply energy (i.e. calories) Plants make their own food in the form of glucose Glucose is a sugar

What do Plants Need to make food? Light Water Air Suitable temperature Minerals

What are minerals? Nutrients that plants need in order to grow and function properly All organisms need minerals, including humans What are some examples of minerals we need??

What are fertilizers? A human made mixture of minerals that plants need These minerals are absorbed from the soil, through the plant roots

Why do we need to add fertilizers? Using the same soil over and over again can deplete minerals from the soil Potted plants run out of minerals quite quickly

The three macronutrients Nitrogen – helps the plant grow healthy stems and leaves –Not enough: light green leaves and thin stems –Too much: too many leaves, no flowers Phosphorus – helps roots grow and flowering –Not enough: no growth and dark leaves that may fall off Potassium – helps plants withstand dramatic temperature changes and protects from disease –Not enough: brown leaves that curve downward

10 micronutrients Calcium Magnesium Sulfur Iron Zinc Boron Copper Manganese Molybdenum Chlorine What does the prefix “macro” mean? What does the prefix “micro” mean?

Too much of a good thing? Too much of the macronutrients can poison a plant It is important to measure the correct amount of fertilizer with the correct amount of water

Nutritional Needs of Plants 1.What is “Real” Plant Food? 2.What do Plants Need to make food? 3.What are minerals? 4.What are fertilizers? 5.Why do we need to add fertilizers? 6.The three macronutrients micronutrients 8.Too much of a good thing?

Boron Calcium Copper Iron Manganese Sulfur Zinc