Soil Nutrients

By:
 Objectives
Know the definition of deficiency, nutrient,
toxicity, macronutrient, micronutrient.
Identify the plant deficiencies from pictures
Evaluate a plant to identify the nutrient
absorption rate.
 Terms and Definitions
Nutrient Element necessary for plant
growth and reproduction.
Deficiency Plant condition where an
essential nutrient is not sufficiently
available.
Micronutrient Nutrient needed in smaller
quantities
 Terms and Definitions
Macronutrient Nutrient needed in larger
quantities
Toxicity A point that is reached where
too much of a nutrient becomes poisonous
 Primary and Secondary Nurtrients
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
 Nitrogen Functions
Gives plants the green coloring
Makes up 1% to 4% of plants harvested
material
Induces vigorous, rapid growth in plants
98% of the planets nitrogen is in the
primary rock of the Earth, the remaining
2% is in the atmosphere
Most readily absorbed
 Nitrogen Deficiency Symptoms
Chlorosis Yellowing in color of leaves
Plant growth is stunted
 Phosphorus
Stimulates root growth
Important for plant cells genetic material
and energy transfer with ATP
3rd most readily absorbed
Phosphorus Deficiency Symptoms
Stunted Growth
Purplish coloring of leaves
 Potassium
Production and translocation of
carbohydrates
Water intake and respiration
Stiffens stalks and straws
2nd most readily absorbed
 Potassium Deficiency Symptoms
Shorter and weaker plants
Bronzing or a browning of leaf color
 Magnesium
Vital for photosynthesis
Chlorophyll or the green coloring of the
plant
Needed for protein synthesis
 Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
Leaves curl along the margins
Leaf parts show a whitish color
 Calcium
Gives plant strength
Stimulates formation of nitrates
Promotes root and leaf growth
 Calcium Deficiency Symptoms
Chlorosis beginning in the leaf edges and
moving inward
Terminal buds become distorted
 Sulfur
Stimulates seed production
Necessary for nodule formation on
legumes
Affects protein and crop quality
 Sulfur Deficiency Symptoms
Similar symptoms to that of a nitrogen
deficiency
Stunted appearance
 Micronutrients in Plants
Iron
Maganese
Boron
Molybdenum
Copper
Zinc
Chlorine
 References
Laca, Andrew. Ag Lesson Plans in Power Point.
Soil Furtility. 19 May 2001. Glen Rose FFA, Glen
Rose., USA. 27 Feb 2005
<http://www.glenroseffa.org/lesson%20plans.ht
m>
Primal Seeds. 26 Oct 2002. 27 Feb 2005
<http://www.primalseeds.org/nutrients>
Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms on Agronomic
Crops. 12 June 2002. 27 Feb 2005
<http://www.nrs.mcgill.ca/whalen/nutrient/sympt
om.html>