Nutrients Essential to Plant Growth
Plant Nutrients
• Plant nutrients are divided into
three main categories:
–Primary nutrients
–Secondary nutrients
–Micronutrients
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
341.T1
Nutrients Essential to Plant Growth
Primary Nutrients
• Primary nutrients are needed by the
plant in large quantities.
• There are six nutrients in this category:
- Carbon (C)
- Phosphorus (P)
- Hydrogen (H)
- Nitrogen (N)
- Oxygen (O)
- Potassium (K)
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
341.T2
Nutrients Essential to Plant Growth
Secondary Nutrients
• Secondary nutrients are needed in
quantities which are lower than primary,
but greater than micronutrients. These
nutrients are:
- Sulfur (S)
- Iron (Fe)
- Calcium (Ca) - Magnesium (Mg)
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
341.T3
Nutrients Essential to Plant Growth
Micronutrients
• Micronutrients are needed in very small amounts,
and are the greatest in number.
- Molybdenum (Mo)
- Zinc (Zn)
- Boron (B)
- Chlorine (Cl)
- Copper (Cu)
- Manganese (Mn)
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
341.T4
Nutrients Essential to Plant Growth
Nitrogen (N)
• Function:
– Promotes rapid
vegetative growth.
– Gives the plant a
healthy green color.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
• Deficiency Symptoms:
– Stunted growth.
– Pale yellowish
color.
– Burning of tip
margins on leaves.
341.T5
Nutrients Essential to Plant Growth
Phosphorus (P)
• Functions:
• Deficiency Symptoms:
– Stimulates early
– Small growth.
growth and root
– Spindly stalk.
formation.
– Delayed maturity.
– Promotes seed growth.
– Purplish color of leaves.
– Hastens maturity.
– Dying of tips of older
– Makes plants hardy.
leaves.
– Poor fruit and seed
development.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
341.T6
Nutrients Essential to Plant Growth
Potassium (K)
• Functions:
– Improves plant’s
ability to resist
disease and cold.
– Aids in production
of carbohydrates.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
• Deficiency Symptoms:
– Slow growth.
– Margins of older leaves
appear scorched.
– Weak stalk.
– Shriveled fruit or seed.
341.T7