In hydroponics, greenhouse growing, or precision agriculture nutrients refer to the essential elements dissolved in water that are delivered directly to plants through the irrigation system. These nutrients are crucial for plant growth, development, and productivity. Nutrients are divided into two categories. Macronutrients are elements that are needed in large amounts and micronutrients or trace nutrients are elements that are needed in very small amounts. Below an overview of the most important nutrients and their benefits for the plant.
Primary macronutrients:
- Nitrogen (N) – promotes leaf and stem growth.
- Phosphorus (P) – supports root development and flowering.
- Potassium (K) – regulates water uptake and enzyme activation for overall plant health and fruit quality.
Secondary macronutrients:
- Calcium (Ca) – strengthens cell wall strength and aids in root health.
- Magnesium (Mg) – central to chlorophyll and photosynthesis.
- Sulfur (S) – for protein synthesis and enzyme function.
Micronutrients:
- Iron (Fe) – for chlorophyll formation, plant respiration and the formation of some proteins
- Manganese (Mn) – for photosynthesis and chlorophyll production. It helps activate enzymes involved in the distribution of growth regulators within the plant.
- Zinc (Zn) – for growth hormone production.
- Copper (Cu) – plays a role in chlorophyll production, for photosynthesis and reproductive growth.
- Boron (B) – for the structure of cell walls, fruit set and seed development. It is also a component of protein and carbohydrate metabolism.
- Molybdenum (Mo) – for nitrogen metabolism within the plant.
Three other major elements essential for plant growth are Carbon (C), Hydrogen, (H) and Oxygen (O). Since carbon and oxygen are supplied naturally in air and oxygen and hydrogen and are supplied naturally in water, they are not regarded as nutrients or fertilizers.
Two other minor elements required are chlorine (Cl) and Nickel (Ni). These elements are required in such small quantities that there is usually enough of those elements appearing naturally and they do not need to be supplemented through irrigation water.