Growing Tips

What Nutrients are Required For Growing Plants?

Written by JasperMiller

Last updated: November 26, 2024

Plants require 17 essential nutrients for healthy growth. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are primary macronutrients crucial for plant growth, energy metabolism, and photosynthesis.

Secondary nutrients like calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S), as well as micronutrients, play vital roles in supporting plant health. Alongside these essential plant nutrients, water, light, carbon dioxide (CO2), and soil pH are also important for robust growth.

In this article, we will delve into the functions of these essential plant nutrients and explore how to effectively integrate them with water, CO2, and light conditions to optimize plant growth and maximize yield.

Main Content:

1. Major Plant Nutrients
2. Secondary Plant Nutrients
3. Micronutrients
4. Balancing Nutrients with Water, CO₂, and Light
5. Maximizing Growth with High-Efficiency LED Grow Lights
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ Related to Plant Nutrients

Image Source:iStock-Ivelin Denev

Major Plant Nutrients

Nitrogen Promotes Stem and Leaf Growth

Nitrogen (N) is a essential nutrient for plant growth, particularly important for the development of leaves and stems. It forms a core component of chlorophyll, directly participating in photosynthesis to help plants generate energy. Nitrogen is also a major part of proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids, making it necessary for cell division and expansion activities in plants.

Nitrogen Deficiency

When nitrogen is deficient, older leaves turn yellow first, eventually falling off, leading to stunted growth. Plants may appear small and weak, with poor flowering and fruiting, ultimately resulting in significant yield reductions. However, excessive nitrogen fertilization can lead to excessive vegetative growth, lodging, and poor flowering and fruiting in many plants, so dosage must be carefully managed.

N deficiency: Cucumber yellow leaves

Nitrogen Supplementation

Applying fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers (such as diluted urea or ammonium nitrate) as a foliar spray can quickly alleviate nitrogen deficiency symptoms. For long-term management, slow-release nitrogen fertilizers (such as compound fertilizers) or organic fertilizers (such as compost or aged manure) can be applied to prevent nitrogen deficiencies.

Phosphorus for Energy Transfer and Metabolism

Phosphorus (P) plays a key role in energy transfer and metabolic activities within plants. It is a core component of energy molecules such as ATP, which is used for power plant growth. Phosphorus also promotes root development, helping plants absorb more water and nutrients. In addition, it supports flowering, pollination, and fruit development.

Phosphorus Deficiency

A lack of phosphorus can cause slow growth, underdeveloped roots, and leaves that exhibit a deep green or purplish color. Flowering and fruiting efficiency are reduced, leading to lower yields. Phosphorus deficiency symptoms can be difficult to detect, and phosphorus has a low absorption rate in soil, so timely application during the growing season can effectively prevent phosphorus deficiencies.

P deficiency: Purple leaves

Phosphorus Supplementation

Before sowing, phosphorus can be supplied by soaking seeds in a phosphate solution to improve phosphorus uptake in seedlings. For growing plants, spraying a solution of monopotassium phosphate can quickly supplement phosphorus. Because phosphorus is easily fixed in overly acidic or alkaline soils, adjusting the soil pH to a neutral range (6.5-7.5) can enhance phosphorus absorption.

Potassium Enhances Crop Flavor and Color

Potassium (K) primarily regulates the water balance in plants by controlling stomatal opening and closing, optimizing water use. It also activates various enzymes and is involved in carbohydrate metabolism, significantly enhancing a plant’s disease resistance. Potassium improves fruit quality, making it sweeter and more vibrant.

Potassium Deficiency

With potassium deficiency, older leaves' edges become yellow, eventually developing into a scorched appearance known as “potassium burn.” Plants typically exhibit slow growth, poor root development, weak stems prone to lodging, and ultimately small fruits of lower quality.

K deficiency: Potato yellow leaves

Potassium Supplementation

Applying fast-acting potassium fertilizers (such as potassium chloride or potassium sulfate) can effectively alleviate potassium deficiency. Organic fertilizers like wood ash can also provide natural potassium.

Potassium sulfate is better suited for chloride-sensitive crops (such as potatoes). In severe cases of potassium deficiency, spraying a diluted solution of monopotassium phosphate can quickly improve leaf burn and yellowing symptoms.

Secondary Plant Nutrients

Calcium

Calcium (Ca) contributes significantly to plant cell walls, enhancing their strength and stability. It is also needed for cell division and elongation, helping plants respond to external stimuli. Additionally, calcium supports the healthy development of root tips and shoot apices, promotes the absorption of other nutrients, and indirectly contributes to yield.

Calcium Deficiency

When calcium is deficient, new leaves may become deformed with irregular edges, and the apical bud may even die. Fruits may develop abnormally; for example, tomatoes can suffer from "blossom end rot," and apples may develop a "bitter pit." Root tip growth is also impaired, leading to weak root systems, and in severe cases, roots may turn black and rot.

Ca deficiency: Deformed leaves

Magnesium

Magnesium (Mg) is the central element in chlorophyll, making it indispensable for photosynthesis. It also plays a role in protein synthesis, sugar metabolism, and various other metabolic processes. Magnesium aids in phosphate transport, helping plants efficiently generate and distribute energy.

Magnesium Deficiency

When magnesium is deficient, the tissue between the veins of older leaves turns yellow, while the veins remain green—this is a characteristic symptom of magnesium deficiency. A lack of magnesium also causes leaves to drop prematurely, hindering photosynthesis, and resulting in weak and slow-growing plants that negatively impact overall yield and health.

Mg deficiency

Sulfur

Sulfur (S) is a component of proteins and amino acids (such as methionine and cystine), which are required for protein synthesis. It is also involved in key enzymes that drive plant metabolism. For oil crops (such as rapeseed and soybeans), sulfur notably enhances oil content and quality. Additionally, sulfur strengthens plant disease resistance.

Sulfur Deficiency

When sulfur is lacking, young leaves exhibit uniform yellowing, unlike nitrogen deficiency, which primarily affects older leaves. Sulfur deficiency can lead to stunted growth, dwarf plants with weak stems, fewer branches, and a notable reduction in yield and quality in oil crops.

nutrient deficiency

Remedial Measures

Calcium Supplementation

Apply limestone or gypsum (calcium sulfate) to increase calcium levels in the soil.
Use calcium fertilizers (such as calcium nitrate) for root applications or foliar sprays to quickly alleviate calcium deficiency symptoms.

Magnesium Supplementation

Apply magnesium-containing fertilizers (such as magnesium sulfate or dolomite powder) to improve soil magnesium supply.
Foliar spray with magnesium sulfate solution to relieve acute magnesium deficiency.

Sulfur Supplementation

Apply sulfur-containing fertilizers (such as ammonium sulfate or potassium sulfate) to directly supply sulfur.
Add organic fertilizers (such as compost or manure) to provide sulfur while improving soil structure.

Micronutrients

Although plants require only trace amounts of micronutrients, they play an irreplaceable role in plant physiology and metabolism.

Iron

Iron (Fe) is essential for chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthesis and is a component of many enzymes. When iron is deficient, new leaves develop distinct yellowing between veins, and in severe cases, plant growth can come to a halt.

Manganese

Manganese (Mn) plays a key role in photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism, activating numerous enzymes and supporting antioxidative defense. Manganese deficiency causes irregular spotting between leaf veins, with areas around the veins turning yellow.

Zinc

Zinc (Zn) is necessary for the synthesis of plant growth hormones (such as auxin) and enzyme activation. A lack of zinc leads to small, deformed leaves, a "rosetting" appearance, and slow plant growth.

Copper

Copper (Cu) is involved in photosynthesis and respiration, also boosting disease resistance. With copper deficiency, the plant’s apical buds may die, and leaves may shrink or become necrotic.

Boron

Boron (B) is important for cell wall formation, pollen development, and sugar transport. Boron deficiency can result in poor fruit and seed development, bud necrosis, and damaged root meristems.

Molybdenum

Molybdenum (Mo) is essential for nitrogen metabolism, participating in nitrate reduction. When molybdenum is deficient, older leaves turn yellow, displaying symptoms similar to nitrogen deficiency.

Chlorine

Chlorine (Cl) helps regulate water balance in plants and is involved in oxygen release during photosynthesis. Chlorine deficiency can cause leaf wilting and root shrinkage.

Although the need for micronutrients is minimal, deficiencies can significantly impact plant health and yield. In agricultural production, micronutrient fertilizers can be applied as foliar sprays, soil pH can be adjusted, or compound fertilizers containing micronutrients can be used to ensure robust plant growth and health.

Balancing Nutrients with Water, CO₂, and Light

Plant growth requires the harmonious coordination of nutrients, water, CO₂, and light. When these factors are well-managed, optimal growth outcomes can be achieved. Here’s how to balance them for the best cultivation results.

Nutrient and Water Coordination

Nutrients absorbed by plants must dissolve in water to enter the plant via the root system. Without sufficient water, plants struggle to absorb and utilize nutrients, which may lead to growth stagnation or nutrient imbalance.

Excess water, however, can lead to the leaching of soluble nutrients like nitrogen and potassium. Therefore, careful irrigation based on crop needs is recommended to avoid water excess or deficiency.

Nutrient and CO₂ Coordination

CO₂ is the primary raw material for photosynthesis, and its concentration directly impacts photosynthetic efficiency. At higher CO₂ levels, plants can synthesize more carbohydrates, promoting growth and increasing yield.

However, this process requires strong light and adequate nutrient support, especially nitrogen (for chlorophyll synthesis) and magnesium (the core element in chlorophyll).

Nutrient and Light Coordination

Light provides energy for plants, driving photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates and energy molecules (ATP). As light intensity increases, plant demand for nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium) rises correspondingly to support photosynthesis and cellular metabolism.

Potassium facilitates the opening and closing of stomata under light conditions, regulating water use efficiency and maintaining stable photosynthesis. Without adequate potassium, plants under strong light are more prone to water loss and reduced photosynthetic efficiency.

In long-daylight conditions, plants may require more micronutrients (such as manganese and zinc) to support enzyme activity associated with photosynthesis.

Water, CO₂, and Light

Under high light conditions, plants increase stomatal opening to absorb more CO₂, accelerating transpiration, which demands a continuous water supply. If water is insufficient, stomata close, limiting CO₂ absorption and inhibiting photosynthesis.

Light Saturation Point

In greenhouses or vertical farming, adjusting the light intensity to approach a plant's light saturation point can significantly boost photosynthesis efficiency.

However, once photosynthesis reaches this saturation point, further increasing light intensity yields limited benefits and may even lead to light stress.

Thus, in high-light intensity environments, it is important to optimize water, CO₂, and nutrient supply to achieve the best growing results.

Maximizing Growth with High-Efficiency LED Grow Lights

As mentioned above, strong lighting helps plants make full use of absorbed nutrients, enhancing photosynthesis, accelerating growth, and thereby improving both yield and crop quality.

Medic Grow’s FOLD series lights stand out in the market due to their high light intensity and exceptional value. The FOLD 1200 delivers a photon flux (PPF) of up to 3360 μmol/s, providing ample light across all growth stages to ensure efficient photosynthesis, enabling plants to utilize nutrients more effectively.

NEO Smart Grow Light

In addition, Medic Grow’s NEO series integrates an innovative multifunctional control display, offering growers real-time information on light intensity and spectrum, allowing for optimal lighting conditions tailored to plant needs.

With the coordination of Medic Grow’s full-spectrum LED grow lights, plants can absorb and utilize nutrients more effectively under optimal lighting conditions, promoting higher yields, enhanced efficiency, and a significant boost in ROI.

Conclusion

By scientifically providing plants with essential nutrients and pairing them with high-efficiency grow lights like the Medic Grow series, you can significantly enhance plant growth speed, yield, and fruit quality. Visit Medic Grow today to embark on your journey to efficient cultivation!

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FAQ Related to Plant Nutrients

1. What Do Plants Need to Live in Nutrients?

Plants require macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur) and micronutrients for growth. Macronutrients support photosynthesis, energy transfer, and structural strength, while micronutrients regulate enzyme activity and metabolism.

2. What Is the Function of the Nutrient for Plants Iron?

Iron (Fe) is primarily aiding in chlorophyll synthesis to support photosynthesis. It also acts as a cofactor for enzymes involved in respiration, energy production, and nitrogen metabolism. Deficiency causes leaf chlorosis and hinders photosynthesis.

3. What Is the Function of the Nutrient for Plants Zinc?

Zinc (Zn) supports enzyme activation, protein synthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. It aids in auxin production, promotes cell growth, and is crucial for chlorophyll formation and photosynthesis. Zinc deficiency causes stunted growth, leaf chlorosis, and reduced flowering or fruiting.

4. What Is the Function of the Nutrient for Plants Copper?

Copper (Cu) is aiding enzyme activation, photosynthesis, and lignin synthesis for strong cell walls. It supports reproductive growth, flowering, and seed production while enhancing antioxidant defense. Deficiency causes stunted growth, pale leaves, poor flowering, and tip dieback.