Plant Nutrition vs. Plant Fertilization From foukeffa.org Written by Jana Shumaker Ag Student Texas A&M GA Ag Ed Curriculum Office To accompany the Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Course 01462 Unit 9 July 2001

Plant Nutrition Vs Plant Fertilization 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) Mo Na Zn B Cu Cl Fe Mn

How to Remember???? C HOPKNS Ca Fe Mg (C. Hopkins café might good) Remaining nutrients: B, Cu, Cl, Mn, Mo, Zn

What are the role of nutrients? (refer to handout)

What makes plants look Unhealthy? Discoloration of leaves Death of leaf tissue Stunted growth

Examples Discoloration of Leaves

Nutrient Deficiencies Chlorosis on lower leaves

Nutrient Deficiencies Chlorosis of leaves

Nutrient Deficiencies P 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

Sources of Info Various pictures used in this presentation were found on various internet sites.