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Plant Nutrients

This document discusses the nutrient requirements and physical conditions necessary for plant growth. It outlines that plants need macro and micro nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. It also explains that plants grow best within a specific pH range, temperature zone, light exposure, humidity level, and with sufficient air flow. Maintaining optimal nutrient levels and physical conditions is important for plant health.

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373 views22 pages

Plant Nutrients

This document discusses the nutrient requirements and physical conditions necessary for plant growth. It outlines that plants need macro and micro nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. It also explains that plants grow best within a specific pH range, temperature zone, light exposure, humidity level, and with sufficient air flow. Maintaining optimal nutrient levels and physical conditions is important for plant health.

Uploaded by

lastoutrider
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Plant

Nutrient Requirements

We will look at:

Macro Nutrients

Micro Nutrients

pH

Physical Requirements

Nutrients

Nutrients are chemicals plants need to grow

Macro Nutrients are ones needed in large


amounts

Micro Nutrients are ones need in small


amounts

Nutrients

MACRO means

BIG!

Nutrients

MICRO means

Small!

Macro Nutrients

Some come from the air or water

Carbon
Oxygen
Hydrogen

These 3 are readily available to plants

Macro Nutrients

Some come from the earth

Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorus (P)
Potassium (K)
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Sulfur (S)

N Nitrogen

Promotes soft, tender,


green growth

Too little causes


chlorosis (yellowing of
leaves)

Too much causes weak,


spindly, darker-than
normal growth

P - Phosphorus

Promotes root growth, flower and seed formation

Too little causes poor growth, weak roots, and poor


flowering

Browning or purpling of leaves can be a sign of low


P

K - Potassium

Increases disease resistance, strengthens roots, and is


needed for chlorophyll, starch, and tuber development

Too little causes reduced growth, especially between


nodes and marginal burn (browning of leaf edges)

Too much causes N deficiencies

Ca Calcium

Promotes bud growth and retards end rot of


many fruits

Often added as Lime to balance soil pH

Too much makes the soil to alkaline

Mg - Magnesium

Helps with seed production

Often lacking in foliage plants

Too little causes less growth, cupped leaves,


fewer seeds, and marginal chlorosis

S - Sulfur

Often added to decrease pH

Too little is extremely rare and causes the


whole plant to yellow

Micro Nutrients

AKA Trace Elements


Absorbed from the soil

Boron (B)
Copper (Cu)
Chlorine (Cl)
Iron (Fe)
Manganese (Mn)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Zinc (Zn)

pH

A scale from 0-14 that measures the alkalinity


(high #) or acidity (low #) of a substance

If Soil pH is not right, plants cant absorb the


right nutrients

Most plants prefer a 6.0-7.0 pH range

Physical Requirements

Temperature

Light

Humidity

Air Flow

Temperature Ranges

Optimum range where a given plant grows


best

Tolerant range where a given plant can live,


but little or no growth occurs

Temperatures outside the tolerant range can


damage or destroy a plant

Some Like It Hot

Cool Season Plants

Like 60-80o F
Most leaf and root vegetables, azaleas, rhododendrons

Warm Season Plants

Like 75-90o F
Melons, most grains, tomatoes, peppers, and most
summer annual bedding plants

The Futures So Bright I Gotta Wear


Shades

Some plants need full Sun

Corn, Roses

Some plants need partial


Shade

Radishes, Dogwood

Humidity

Humidity is a measure of moisture in the air

Most plants need a relative humidity of 4080% to grow

Humidity over 80% can lead to disease


problems

Air Flow

Plants need access to moving air to aid in pollination


and to dry leave surfaces

Grasses are usually only pollinated by wind

Drying of leaves reduces mold and fungal problems

Too much wind can be a problem

We have looked at:

Macro Nutrients

Micro Nutrients

pH

Physical Requirements

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