Plants need specific elements called essential nutrients to grow, develop and produce at their best.
When plants lack essential nutrients, they do not develop roots, stems ,leaves and flowers properly. On the other hand, too much nutrients harm and kill plants. For example; too much nitrogen makes the plant to grow taller and develop more leaves without fruits. The nutrients are broken down to their basic forms before they are used by plants. The forms are either positive ion (cation) or negative ion (anion).
The nutrients are classified as macro nutrients and macro nutrients. Macro nutrients are those required by plants in large amounts while micro nutrients are required in small amounts.
The following are some of the macro nutrients that are essential to plants:
Firstly, nitrogen. This nutrient is immobile and can easily be leached. Plants need optimum amounts of nitrogen to grow develop and produce. Too much nitrogen makes plants to grow taller and develop more leaves without bearing fruits. Little amounts of nitrogen makes the plant turn yellow with spots on leaves. There are many sources of nitrogen. One of these sources is synthetic fertilizer such as urea, ammonium sulphate, calcium sulphate and potassium nitrate.
The next macro nutrient is potassium. This is useful in the process of photosynthesis and maintaining the green colour of plants. Only optimum amount is required for better outcomes.
Another macro element is phosphorus. This is also useful for plant growth. It is important in energy transfer throughout the growing season of plants. Phosphorus can be added to the soil through the use of synthetic fertilizers which also maintain soil fertility.
Other macro nutrients are hydrogen, carbon, sulphur and oxygen.
Essential micro nutrients that are required by plants are; boron silicon, sodium, zinc, nickel, copper, iron and magnesium.
The figure below is a photo of a maize field with sufficient essential plant nutrients like oxygen, nitrogen potassium, carbon and other nutrients
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