Plant nutrition
Plant Nutrition
Plant nutrition (/plænt njuːˈtrɪʃən/) refers to the chemical elements and compounds necessary for plant growth, plant metabolism and their external supply. In 1972, E. Epstein defined two criteria for an element to be essential for plant growth: in its absence the plant is unable to complete a normal life cycle or that the element is part of some essential plant constituent or metabolite.
Etymology
The term "nutrition" comes from the Latin word nutrire, meaning to feed or nourish. The term "plant" comes from the Old English plante meaning young tree or herb.
Essential Elements
Plants must obtain the following mineral nutrients from their growing medium:
- The primary macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K)
- The three secondary macronutrients: Calcium (Ca), Sulfur (S), Magnesium (Mg)
- The micronutrients/trace minerals: Boron (B), Chlorine (Cl), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni)
Non-Mineral Nutrients
The non-mineral nutrients, which include Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), and Carbon (C), are often obtained from air and water.
Related Terms
- Photosynthesis: The process by which plants use sunlight to synthesize foods with the aid of chlorophyll.
- Chlorophyll: The green pigment found in cyanobacteria and the chloroplasts of algae and plants.
- Macronutrients: Nutrients required in large amounts for plant growth and development.
- Micronutrients: Nutrients required in smaller amounts but are still crucial for plant growth and development.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Plant nutrition
- Wikipedia's article - Plant nutrition
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