Plant food

Chemical elements are utilised by plants and are essential for plant growth.
At one time, water was thought to be the sole nutrient needed by plants. It was later found that certain "earth substances" were beneficial
for plant growth.

Fertilisers put these "substances" called nutritional elements back into the soil, which are then utilised by the plant.

All living plant needs three essential nutritional-elements in order to thrive: NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS and POTASSIUM

Functions these elements have in the plant?

Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen plays a key role in many metabolic reactions. Because nitrogen is contained in the chlorophyll molecule
(green substance in plants), a deficiency of nitrogen will result in chlorotic (yellowing) condition of the plant. Nitrogen is also a
structural constituent of cell.walls.

Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus has been described as ubiquitous in the plant, being involved in nearly all-metabolic processes.
It plays a vital role in the life cycle of plants and is important il1 reproductive growth, promoting early maturity and fruit
quality, as well as seed formation.

Potassium (K): Potassium plays an important role in the water relations in the

plant. Adequate potassium causes cell walls to be thicker and provides more tissue

stability, which normally improves resistance to lodging, pests and diseases. Fruits

and vegetables grown with adequate potassium seem to have a longer shelf life in

the grocery store.

Fertilisers

Fertilisers indicate the ratio between. these elements (N:P:K) according to the

specific needs for use:

NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS and POTASSIUM.

Most commercial Fertilizers contain all three in various proportions, and at a variety

of concentrations. If you look at the contents listed on fertilizer packs you will see the

initials

N (NITROGEN) P (PHOSPHORUS) K (POTASSIUM) followed by three numbers,

these numbers represent the ratio between the three nutrients, and the relative

strength of the fertilizer.

The higher the number the stronger the concentration of the nutrient.

In most cases two numbers in brackets follow these numbers (2:3:2 (22», this

number represent the percentage of active ingredients of the fertilizer, the balance is

made up of non nutritional fillers.

Examples:

NKP 2:3:2 (22)
2 parts Nitrogen
3 parts Phosphorus
2 parts Potassium
22% active ingredients (220g/kg)
220q/kq (Active inqredient)
7 (Total Parts) = 31,4g/kg (Mass of one part)
63g/kg Nitrogen
94g/kg Phosphorus
63q/kq Potassium
220g/kg active Ingredients

NPK 3:1:5 (15)

50g/kg Nitrogen

17g/kg Phosphorus

83q/kq Potassium.

150g/kg active Ingredients

NI-TRO-GEN

Colorless, tasteless, odorless, gaseous element, that constitutes 78% of the

atmosphere by volume, stacking up 35 million kg over every acre of land.

" Chemical symbol:

14.0067

Focal element in the nitrogen cycle by which nitrogen passes though successive

stations in air, soil and organisms to achieve fixation. A governing factor in the decay

of carbonaceous materials. Amino nitrogen takes up 6% of compounds, eve'rycell in

plant life requires nitrogen in the right form, 5% of organic matter in soil is present as

nitrogen, this is broken down by micro-organisms and the nitrogen can the be used

by the plant. Plants take up nitrogen through their roots, as pure nitrogen makes up

about 78% of the earth's atmosphere. Some plants as: Alder and Acacia can meet

their need for nitrogen from the air, with the help of so called root nodule bacteria.

Nitrogen joins carbon, hydrogen and oxygen as a main constituent of the animal

body, other than the skeleton.

Nitrogen is responsible for shoot development and foliage production, in short, for

. growth. Too little nitrogen will result in a plant that will not thrive, with small and

possibly distorted yellow leaves and a washed-'out appearance, With no nitrogen at

all an established plant could be dead within a year, by contrast to much nitrogen will

result in rapid growth with large leaves, plump shoots that are full of water and

consequently very easy to snap.

PHOS-PHO-RUS

A solid nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family is existing in at least two allotropic

forms, one yellow poisonous, inflammable, and luminous. The other red less

poisonous and inflammable.

Chemical symbol:

30.97376

Phosphorus occurs naturally mainly in organic compounds such as protein and

bones, the release in soils depends on decomposition of these organic compounds,

contained in all tissues with concentrations most pronounced in young plants, seed

and flowers.

Super phosphate, triple-super phosphate, rock phosphate, and organic fraction

phosphates, proteins, phospholipids etc. are labile-undergo chemical and physical

changes while not necessarily available, essential for building sound bones and

teeth in the animal body, and for assimilation of carbohydrates and fats, necessary

for enzyme activation. Essential for the development and proper functioning of roots,

also encourages the fattening of woody trunks and branches, and helps to establish

appropriate conditions for the production of foliage and flower buds, and to make

nucleic acids. It also enhances the plant's resistance to stress and diseases, Weak

growth with pale green leaves, and a low resistance to illness and frost could be the

result of a lack of phosphorus. Phosphorus is taken up through the roots and its

availability depends largely on the pH value of the soil, minerals present in clay,

which also absorbs phosphorus can reduce its availability to the plant.

PO-TAS-SI-UM

A silver-white soft light low-melting univalent metallic element of the alkali metal

group, abundant in nature esp. combined in minerals (see Mendeleyeff Periodic

Table pf Elements)

Chemical symbol:

39.0983

Potassium is a highly reactive element that forms part of many mineral compounds

but does not occur in pure form in nature and is not found in organic compounds. It

controls most metabolic procedures in plants and plays an important role because or

its osmotic effect. A catalyst and prime requirement, in chlorophyll construction.

A governor for taking free nutrients from the air -carbon, hydrogen, oxygen. Needed

so plants can make starches, sugars, proteins, vitamins, enzymes of cellulose,

dangerous to microorganisms when embodied in muriate of potash in animal life.

Promotes normal growth and muscle function, also a cell regulating element

regulates osmotic pressure in cellular tissue and fluids. Potassium is the main agent

for the development of fruit and flowers. By increasing the amounts of potassium in

fruit bearing and flowering bonsai which fruit or flower poorly will increase their

performance the next spring. Potassium also helps hardening of late growth in

preparation for winter. In non-fruit bearing or flowering trees, insufficient potassium

results in winter die back. A few hands full of hard wood ash are an excellent source

of cheap potassium.

CALCIUM. MAGNESIUM and SULPHUR

Calcium and magnesium are considered as elements of secondary importance in the

industry and marketing of the commercial fertilizers, but the truth is that for the soil

and for plants calcium and magnesium are primary in importance both quantitatively

and alsofor their bio-chemicalsignificance. .

A deeper look into every living body, including the human being, discovers the fact

that nothing can live without calcium and magnesium. The skeletons of human

beings and those of all fully developed animals are built of tri-calcium phosphate.

The immense world of microbes and all the bio-chemical processes require certain

amounts of calcium and magnesium. There may not be a green plant without the

action of magnesium, for magnesium controls the development and the biochemistry

of the chlorophyll molecule; subsequently, there is no photosynthesis, namely,.any

food for other forms of life without the work of magnesium. Every agricultural product

contains certain amounts of calcium and magnesium, and logically a fertile and

productive soil must contain calcium and magnesium -in fact, it holds very large

amounts of both of these two elements. It has been proved that calcium is the most

important element among all the plant food elements. It is as important to eliminate

the deficiencies of these two elements as it is to avoid the excesses of the same in

the soil.

CAL-CI-UM (LIME)

A silver white bivalent metallic element of the alkaline earth group occurring only incombination

Chemical symbol:

40.08

Calcium occurs in the soil in carbonate, sulfate or phosphate. A plant nutrient, that

should occupy between 65 and 70% of the positions on the soil colloid in terms of

the exchange capacity. At the proper saturation improves soil texture, makes

phosphorus and micro-nutrients more available, and improves the environment for

microorganisms, helps plants form better root systems, stems and leaves for efficient

use of sunlight energy, water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen end mineral nutrients.

Essential for building normal bones and teeth, important in blood coagulation, and

lactation, enables heart, nerves and muscles to function, regulates permeability of

tissue cells in animals.

Most important fertilizer element, it plays an important role in cell production and the

growth of roots. It is absorbed through the roots. Lime helps to neutralize acid soil

and has a beneficial effect on the structure of the soil, on the activity of

microorganisms and on the resulting availability of other nutrients. Calcium

deficiency is characterized by weak growth, a low resistance to illness or yellow

shoots

MAG-NE-SI-UM

A silver-white, light malleable ductile metallic element.

Chemical symbol:

24.305

Occurs abundantly in nature as an alkaline earth, used in many industrial processes,

including photography, pyrotechnics, MgO used in fertilizers, cement insulation, in

medicine magnesia is an antacid and mild laxative.

In soils Magnesium has 1.666 times as much exchange capacity as an equal amount

of calcium, high magnesium and low calcium permits organic residue to decay into

alcohol, a sterilant to bacteria, it should occupy between 10 and 20% of the soil's

exchange capacity.

In the human body, it is essential for nerve and muscle activity and in bone structure,

aids in growth promotion.

SOME ASPECTS OF MAGNESIUM IN THE SOil:

* It is contained in minerals such as biotite, dolomite and chlorite.

* Deficiencies occur most often in coarse-textured, acid soils.

* It occurs as a cation (Mg ++)

SOME FUNCTIONS OF MAGNESIUM IN PLANT GROWTH ARE:,

* A mineral constituent of chlorophyll.

* Actively involved in photosynthesis.

* Aids in phosphate metabolism.

* Activates several enzyme systems.

If a plant lacks magnesium its older leaves will turn yellow with the veins remaining

green.

SUL-PHUR

A nonmetallic anion element that occurs either free, or combined esp. in sulfides and

sulfates

Chemical symbols:

32.06

Is a constituent of proteins and exists' in allotropic forms, including yellow

orthorhombic crystals. Resembles oxygen, yet less active and more acidic. Its

release in soils is governed by the size of the organic matter bank that accounts for

its transformation under the auspices of the decomposers of the biotic pyramid which

take proteins and organic combinations -of which hydrogen and sulfur are simple

forms --and turns them into sulfates and sulfites essential to formation of sulfur

containingproteins,a constituentin thiamine,biotin,glutathione. .

It is available in quantity in the air in the form of sulfur dioxide and is washed into soil

by rain and it can be ignored in fertilizing.

TRACE ELEMENTS

ONLY SMALL QUANTITIES OF MINERALS ARE NEEDED

In the Diagnosis of Mineral Deficiencies in Plants, by T. Wallace. The principle is

stated in the following words: "Since catalysts are not used up in the chemical

reactions which they promote, we can understand how it comes about that quite

small or even minute quantities of the 'trace elements' iron, manganese, boron, zinc

and copper, may nevertheless be essential to the plant's health and growth"

Iron may be used as an example. As the most copiously required trace minerals, an

iron level of 80 PPM is nevertheless considered fully adequate in the tissues of many

plants.

CHLO-RINE

A halogen element that is isolated as a heavy greenish yellow gas of pungent odor.

i Chemical symbol:

35.453

Especially a part of the compound sodium chloride is regarded essential to the

growth of some plants. Under some conditions, an excess of chlorine causes chlorite

spots on tobacco leaves and other plants.

HY-DRO-GEN

A nonmetallic element

Chemical symbol:

35.453

The simplest and lightest of elements, colorl~ss, odorless, highly flammable diatomic

gas, the base for acidity in soil systems.

SO-DI-UM

A silver white soft waxy ductile element of the al~ali metal group.

Chemical symbol:

22.98077

Occurs abundantly in nature in compound form very active as a cation a cell-

regulating element that governs osmotic pressure in cellular tissues and fluids.

MO-LYB-DE-NUM

A metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties.

Chemical symbol:

95.94

Essential for plants in trace amounts, 0.01 to 0.10 PPM governs microorganisms

needed to interrelate. Best illustrated in animal health, where an excess makes

copper unavailable, de-pigments hair and accounts for severe scouring deficiency in

animals created by excess sulfur, which slows cellulose digestion a deficiency of

molybdenum slows conversion of nitrogen to protein. Molybdenum helps to control

nitrogen metabolism. The yellowing and malformation of young leaves usually

indicate a deficiency

ZINC

A bluish white crystalline bivalent metallic element.

Chemicalsymbol:

65.38

Of low to .intermediate hardness, ductile when pure. Absolutely vital (along with

molybdenum) to the life process of soil microorganisms, esp. Azotobacter. A non-

symbiotic nitrogen-fixing microorganism, aids in the promotion of normal growth and

tissue respiration in animals, interrelated with insulin and vitamin B1 deficiencies,

important in the development of normal hair coat, now regarded as a dietary

essential and constituent of carbonic anhydrase. Zinc controls the activities of

enzymes and the development of hormones. It also plays a role-in photosynthesis.

SOME COMMON ZINC SOURCES:

SOURCE % ZN PERCENT

Zinc sulfates (hydrated)

Zinc oxide

23-35

Basic zinc sulfate 55

Zinc carbonate 52

Zinc sulfide 67

Zinc fritz Variable

Zinc phosphate 51

Zinc chelates 9-14

Other organic 5-10

SO-RON

A trivalent metalloid element found in nature only in combination.

Chemical symbol:

10.81

Required for translocation of sugar, regulates flowering and fruiting, cell division and

cell wall formation, salt absorption, carbohydrate metabolism, water use and nitrogen

assimilation in plants, functions in the synthesis of glycogen and the maintenance of

body fat in animal life.

IRON....

A heavy malleable duCtilemagnetic silver-white metallic element.

Chemical symbol:

55.847

In biology, an indispensable carrier of c;:>xygenrequired in the production of

chlorophyll and as an aid in the prevention of chlorosis. A difficult nutrient to supply

to plants in an available form to human beings and animals, essential for hemoglobin

formation because divalent iron occupies a central position in the hemoglobin

structure, essential in oxygen transfer and cell respiration, and aids in blood cell

development, and in the prevention of anaemia.

MAN-GA-NESE '.

A grayish white, hard and brittle metallic element.

Chemical symbol:

54.9380

Resembles iron, albeit diamagnetic, aids the oxide enzyme in carrying oxygen and

enters into the oxidation and reduction reactions in plant life required for

carbohydrate metabolism and seed formation. In animal life, it is an essential

biocatalyst in normal growth and bone development and maintenance. Deficiency in

plants is indicated in brown spots appearing on older foliage.

COP-PER

Reddish ductile metal.

Chemical symbol:

63.546

In agriculture, vitally important to root metabolism helps form compounds and

proteins, amino acids and many organic compounds, a catalyst or part of enzyme

systems; helps produce dry matter via growth stimulation, prevents development of

chlorosis, rosetting and die-back. In animal life, essential for catalytic conversion of

.; ..

iron into red blood cells, and assists in tissue respiration. A copper deficiency is

visible by white tips to the leaves.

SI-Ll-CA

A white non-metallic anion element

Chemical symbol:

28.0855

It is a proven fact that silica plays an important fertilizing role in the plant kingdom.

Tests have shown an improvement in cultivation following the addition of silicates.

Silica also functions as a vital element in protecting plants against mold penetration,

and it has been found to influence the use of other ingredients useful to plant

metabolism. A rich supply of natural organic silicates can be found in eguisetum

arvense, the source of vegetal silica. Better known as horsetail, spring horsetail, or

scouring rush, this perennial grow.s wild in all temperature zones of our planet, It

belongs to a small group of plants known as pteridophyta, which is distinguished as

non flowering and non-seed-bearing. Horsetail thrives on clay-like sandy soils. It

occurs mainly in marsh lands but can be found in woods and forests, moist fields,

meadows and along the sandy shores of creeks and streamlets. Some varieties

have adapted to other environments, living along roadside and stony ground.

Silica deficiency may exist if your diet consists of too many refined foods. Silica is

abundant in the shell of brown rice, in leafy greens and bell peppers. When food is

processed, silica is unfortunately removed. Fiber is usually the first to be cut or

washed away, and along with the fiber, the silica. Stripped cereals and other

processed foods have decreased silica supplies. This massive loss of natural silica

has been paralleled by an increase in degenerative diseases