Soil nutrients: a list of components and how they are received and absorbed

Soil fertility and plant he alth depend on the nutrient content of the soil. When there is enough of them, the plants develop and bear fruit; when there is not enough of them, it impairs growth and fruiting. Consider what basic mineral elements are contained in the soil (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and trace elements, in what forms, how they are absorbed by the soil. How to regulate the nutrition of plants in the household.

What are the nutrients in the soil

The main ones are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, these elements are found in the soil of any type, but in different percentages. It also contains macronutrients - sulfur, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and trace elements, the content of which in a small amount is sufficient for plant growth.

Nitrogen

This element is necessary for plants at all stages of development, but it is especially needed at the beginning of growth. Nitrogen is part of proteins, chlorophyll, enzymes and other components of the plant body. Nitrogen is consumed by plants in 2 forms: nitrate and ammonium.

Ammonia

Nitrogen in this form is absorbed and retained under adverse conditions: soil acidity, waterlogging or overdrying, lack of organic matter, cold soil. Ammonium nitrogen is better absorbed in acidic soils.

Nitrate

Nitrates move freely in the soil, are weakly fixed in it, and are easily washed down on light soils. They are the dominant form of nitrogen in warm, moist and breathable soil. Nitrates are contained in the soil solution, they easily move with the flow of water, and are easily absorbed by the roots.Nitrates are better absorbed in neutral and alkaline soils.

Phosphorus

The second irreplaceable component, which is necessary for the normal course of photosynthetic and energy processes, for the formation and development of growth points, cell differentiation. Phosphorus stimulates the ripening of fruits, makes plants resistant to adverse factors.

Potassium

The element improves the quality of fruits, enables plants to resist diseases. Potassium is involved in the activation of enzymes, retains water in the cells, which helps plants to endure drought and cold.

Sulfur

The element is involved in the formation of proteins, chlorophyll, fats, some vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, increases their content in plants. Visually, sulfur deficiency is expressed by symptoms similar to nitrogen starvation: yellowness of leaves, thinning and stretching of young shoots, suspension of plant growth.Chlorosis begins to appear on young leaves, as sulfur cannot move up the plant from the lower leaves.

Calcium

The element is involved in the regulation of water and acid balance, creates conditions for the proper development of roots, increases the solubility of substances in the soil. Potassium helps plants absorb nutrients and affects the availability of certain minerals.

The element accelerates the decomposition of organic matter, binds soil acids, increases the absorption of ammonium nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Activates the activity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms. Calcium is necessary for crops during the entire growing period, but plants in the flowering and fruiting stages need it especially.

Magnesium

The element is present in chlorophyll, is involved in the synthesis of amino acids and the assembly of proteins, the transformation of organic acids, the construction of cell walls. Magnesium is a component of energy metabolism.

With a lack of this element, the synthesis of compounds with nitrogen, such as chlorophyll, is inhibited and inhibited. Deficiency leads to a decrease in the level of phosphorus, a decrease in its digestibility. With a lack of an element, root growth is suppressed, which leads to a decrease in the absorption of nutritional components that enter the plants from the soil solution. This is especially noticeable during drought. Under unfavorable conditions, magnesium moves from leaves to flowers and fruits, and its deficiency can be determined from the leaves.

Micronutrients

They are no less important for the development of plants than the main elements, although they are required in smaller quantities. The role of trace elements in plant life:

1. Iron is essential for the production of chlorophyll. Fixes atmospheric nitrogen, participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, hormones, affects the movement of plastic substances, cell growth and division.
2. Copper is involved in the formation of carbohydrates, vitamin C, proteins, fats. Increases cold resistance and drought resistance, improves the growth of fruits and seeds, accelerates the flow of nitrogen and magnesium into plants.
3. Zinc raises the content of carbohydrates and proteins, vitamins, activates growth hormones, enhances root growth, increases resistance to drought and cold.
4. Manganese activates auxin and some enzymes, lowers the content of nitrates in fruits, but increases the content of ascorbic acid.
5. Boron affects the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, enhances the pollination of flowers, prevents the ovary from falling off, prevents rotting of root crops, and enhances the outflow of nutrients into fruits.
6. Molybdenum has a positive effect on nitrogen metabolism and protein synthesis, reduces the amount of nitrates. Participates in the synthesis of nucleic acids, chlorophyll, enhances photosynthesis.
7. Cob alt enhances nitrogen fixation, is part of cyanocobalamin, increases the content of carotenoids and chlorophyll. Participates in nitrogen metabolism, protein and nucleic acid synthesis. Retains moisture in plants, especially in drought.
8. Chromium activates enzymes, enhances immunity and resistance to stress.
9. Selenium increases crop resistance to diseases and stress.

As you can see, these elements should be contained in the soil of gardens and orchards in sufficient quantities.

Acquisition processes

The soil has mechanical, physical and chemical absorption capacity. Mechanical - the ability to retain particles larger than soil pores. This allows silty and colloidal particles to linger in the soil. Physical absorption - the ability to change the concentration of molecules of different compounds in contact with the soil solution.

Chemical absorption - the ability of the soil to retain ions of elements, forming insoluble or sparingly soluble substances. As a result of this type of absorption, organic matter, anions and cations of nutrients accumulate in the soil, which then enter the plants.

Regulation of plant nutrition

An effective method of regulating the nutrition of cultivated crops is the application of organic and mineral fertilizers in the preparation of beds or in the process of growing. Top dressing can regulate the balance of mineral elements, increase the content of those that are lacking, reduce the amount of others when they are overabundant. Fertilization must be carried out in the exact dosage and at the right time.

Acidity neutralization makes the elements more available for absorption by plants. Other processing methods: adding sand to clay soils, clay to sandy soils, which improves their mechanical composition.

An important point in the normal organization of nutrition is the irrigation regime, since the mineral elements are in the soil solution, which must freely flow to the roots.In arid soil, the supply of mineral elements is difficult, even if they are in sufficient quantities.

All soil is rich in nutrients, but in different quantities. They enter through the roots into plants and are used by them to build cells and form substances specific to a given plant species. To get a good harvest, all the minerals and substances necessary for crops must be present in the soil. The easiest way to regulate their content is with the help of fertilizers, but it is also necessary to carry out agricultural practices that improve the characteristics of soils: warming up, the ability to pass air and moisture and retain important components.

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