COMMON NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES Next to carbon dioxide, water and oxygen, plants require nutrients for growth and development. These ‘nutrients’ or ‘minerals’ are chemical elements and are essential for all plants species. There are twelve nutrients, categorised into two groups: macro and microelements. This distinction is made on the basis of the quantity taken up by plants. Macroelements are nitrogen (N), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S). The micro-elements are iron
species. Sodium (Na) and
The essentiality of a few
(Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc
chloride (Cl) will be found in
micro-elements as cobalt
(Zn), boron (B), copper (Cu)
plants as well, sometimes
(Co) and nickel (Ni) and
and molybdenum (Mo).
in huge quantities, however
some other rare elements
Sometimes silicon (Si) is
these elements do not
is still debated among
also mentioned as nutrient,
have an essential function
scientists. These elements
however this element is
and can be replaced by
may be essential for some
not an essential, but rather
others. These elements
species but not for all and
considered as ‘beneficial’
are taken up by plants
accordingly these elements
and is only taken up by a
due to their presence
are generally neglected.
selective number of plant
in the root environment.
Article written for Reiziger by
University & Research Center. The Netherlands.