Reiziger Hydroponic Nutrient Deficiency Guide

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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.


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