Quote: "Plant nutrition is the study of the chemical elements and compounds necessary for plant growth and reproduction, plant metabolism, and their external supply."
Study of essential elements and compounds that are required for plant growth, including macronutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and micronutrients (e.g., zinc, copper, boron).
Soil composition: The physical and chemical make-up of soil that determines its nutrient content and ability to support plant growth.
Nutrient management: The process of optimizing the availability, balance and uptake of essential nutrients in soil for crop growth.
Soil fertility: The ability of soil to support the growth of plants by providing essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Soil quality: The overall health of soil, including its physical, chemical, and biological properties.
Macronutrients: Essential nutrients required in large amounts by plants, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Micronutrients: Essential nutrients required in smaller amounts by plants, including iron, manganese, and zinc.
Soil testing: A scientific method of assessing soil nutrient levels by performing laboratory tests on soil samples.
Soil pH: The measure of acidity or alkalinity of soil, which influences nutrient availability and plant growth.
Organic matter: The living and dead plant and animal materials in soil that contribute to soil fertility by providing nutrients, improving water retention, and enhancing soil structure.
Soil amendments: Materials like compost, manure, and lime that are added to soil to improve its fertility and nutrient content.
Fertilizers: Nutrient-rich materials that are added to soil to enhance plant growth.
Soil biology: The study of the living organisms in soil, including bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, and their role in nutrient cycling and soil health.
Soil ecology: The study of the interactions between soil organisms, soil properties, and other factors that influence the health of soil and the growth of plants.
Nutrient cycling: The natural process of moving nutrients through the soil ecosystem, from plants to soil organisms and back to the soil.
Erosion: The process of wearing away soil, which can lead to nutrient loss, reduced soil fertility, and decreased plant growth.
Crop rotation: A farming practice of alternating the planting of different crops to enhance soil fertility, reduce soil-borne diseases, and prevent plant nutrient deficiencies.
Cover crops: Plants that are grown in between main crop seasons to improve soil health, improve nutrient availability, and reduce soil erosion.
Sustainable farming practices: Practices that aim to conserve soil fertility and health for long-term crop production by avoiding overuse of soil nutrients and minimizing soil disturbance.
Macronutrients: These are the essential nutrients that plants need in large quantities, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Micronutrients: These are the essential nutrients that plants need in small quantities, such as iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and boron.
Organic matter: Soil organic matter is the decomposed remains of plants and animals that contribute to soil fertility and structure.
Water and air: Soil needs to be properly aerated and moistened for plant growth.
pH: The acidity or alkalinity of soil affects the availability of nutrients to plants.
Cation exchange capacity (CEC): This is a measure of the soil's ability to hold and exchange positively charged ions, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Salinity: Too much salt in soil can impede plant growth and reduce yields.
Texture: Soil texture refers to the size of the soil particles and affects water and nutrient retention.
Quote: "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. This is in accordance with Justus von Liebig’s law of the minimum."
Quote: "The total essential plant nutrients include seventeen different elements: carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen... nitrogen... and other nutrients."
Quote: "Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen [nutrients] are absorbed from the air."
Quote: "Nitrogen [nutrient] is typically obtained from the soil."
Quote: "The macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg)."
Quote: "The micronutrients (or trace minerals): iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni)."
Quote: "Plants absorb these elements as ions."
Quote: "The macronutrients are taken-up in larger quantities;... hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon contribute to over 95% of a plant's entire biomass."
Quote: "Micronutrients are present in plant tissue in quantities measured in parts per million, ranging from 0.1 to 200 ppm, or less than 0.02% dry weight."
Quote: "Most soil conditions across the world can provide plants adapted to that climate and soil with sufficient nutrition for a complete life cycle."
Quote: "However, if the soil is cropped, it is necessary to artificially modify soil fertility through the addition of fertilizer to promote vigorous growth and increase or sustain yield."
Quote: "This is done because, even with adequate water and light, nutrient deficiency can limit growth and crop yield."
Quote: "Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen [nutrients] are absorbed from the air, whereas other nutrients including nitrogen are typically obtained from the soil."
Quote: "The total essential plant nutrients include seventeen different elements... The macronutrients and the micronutrients (or trace minerals)."
Quote: "Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon contribute to over 95% of a plant's entire biomass."
Quote: "Micronutrients are present in plant tissue in quantities measured in parts per million, ranging from 0.1 to 200 ppm, or less than 0.02% dry weight."
Quote: "In its absence, the plant is unable to complete a normal life cycle."
Quote: "Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen [are absorbed from the air], whereas other nutrients including nitrogen are typically obtained from the soil."
Quote: "It is necessary to artificially modify soil fertility through the addition of fertilizer to promote vigorous growth and increase or sustain yield."