Macro and micro elements in plants, also called macro and micro nutrients, are essential

to healthy growth. They are all found naturally in soil, but if a plant has been growing in
the same soil for a while, these nutrients may be depleted. Thats where fertilizer comes
in. Keep reading to learn more about common soil nutrients.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Soil Health Information: What Are Macro and Micro
Elements In Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-
fertilizers/macro-and-micro-elements.htm

Soil Health Information So the big question is exactly what are macro and micro
elements in plants? Macro nutrients are found in large quantities in plants, usually at
least 0.1%. Micro nutrients are needed only in trace amounts and are usually counted in
parts per million. Both are essential for happy, healthy plants.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Soil Health Information: What Are Macro and Micro
Elements In Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-
fertilizers/macro-and-micro-elements.htm

What are Macro Nutrients? Here are the most common macro nutrients found in soil:
Nitrogen Nitrogen is crucial to plants. It is found in amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids,
and chlorophyll. Potassium Potassium is a positive ion that balances a plants negative
ions. It also develops reproductive structures. Calcium Calcium is an essential
component of a plants cell walls that affects its permeability. Magnesium Magnesium
is the central element in chlorophyll. It is a positive ion that balances a plants negative
ions. Phosphorus Phosphorus is essential to nucleic acids, ADP, and ATP. It also
regulates root flower growth, cell division, and the formation of protein. Sulfur Sulfur is
essential to protein structure and the vitamins thiamine and biotin. It is a coenzyme of
vitamin A, which is important for respiration and fatty acid metabolism.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Soil Health Information: What Are Macro and Micro
Elements In Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-
fertilizers/macro-and-micro-elements.htm

What are Micro Nutrients? Below you will find some of the most common micro nutrients
found in soil: Iron Iron is needed to make chlorophyll and is used in many
oxidation/reduction reactions. Manganese Manganese is necessary for photosynthesis,
respiration, and nitrogen metabolism. Zinc Zinc helps synthesize proteins and is an
essential element of growth control hormones. Copper Copper is used to activate
enzymes and is important in respiration and photosynthesis.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Soil Health Information: What Are Macro and Micro
Elements In Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-
fertilizers/macro-and-micro-elements.htm

Table 3. Micronutrients role in plant nutrition. Element Taken form Functional

contributions Average concentration in tissue (ppm) Iron Fe2+/Fe3+ Promotes
formation of chlorophyll Enzyme mechanism which operates the respiratory
system of cells Reactions involving cell division and growth 100 Manganese Mn2+
Predominant in metabolism of organic acids Activates the reduction of nitrite
and hydroxylamine to ammonia Role in important enzymes involved in respiration
and enzyme synthesis Activator of enzyme reactions such as oxidation/reduction,
hydrolysis Direct influence on sunlight conversion in the chloroplast 50 Zinc Zn2+
Formation of growth hormones (auxin) Seed and grain formation Promotes
maturity Plant height Protein synthesis Transformation and consumption of
carbohydrates 20 Boron B(OH)3 or as H2BO3 - (Depends on pH) Protein synthesis
Formation of plant hormones Promotes maturity Increase in flowering set
Affects nitrogen and carbohydrate metabolism Water relation in plant 20 Copper
Cu2+ Enzyme activator Major function in photosynthesis Major function in
reproductive stage Function in respiratory enzymes Indirect role in chlorophyll
production Increases sugar content Intensifies colour Improves flavour in fruits
and vegetables 6 Molybdenum MoO4 Essential for nitrogen fixation Essential for
nitrate reduction Essential for plant growth 0.1 Chlorine Cl- Activator for the
enzyme that releases oxygen from water during photosynthesis Regulating turgor
pressure and growth of cells and is important in drought resistance (stomata gate
cells aperture) Counter ion to the positively charged 'cations"'in the cell. 100