Macro &

micro
nutrients
 Plant nutrients
Several elements take
part in the growth and
development of plants,
and those absorbed from
the soil are generally
known as Plant nutrients.
 16 elements have been identified
and are established to be essential
for plant growth.
There are
Carbon (C),
Hydrogen (H)
Oxygen (O)
Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorus(P)
Potassium (K)
Calcium(Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Iron (Fe)
Sulphur(S)
Zinc (Zn)
Manganese (Mn)
Copper (Cu),
Boron (B),
Molybdenum (Mo),
Chlorine(Cl)
 These elements serve as raw
materials for growth and
development of plants, and
formation of fruits and seeds.
Major nutrients
Group I : Carbon, Hydrogen and
oxygen.
Group II: Nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium
 Secondary Nutrients: Calcium,
magnesium, sulphur
Micro nutrients: which are not
considered essential for plant growth and
are not directly concerned in the nutrition
of the crop, but are present in the plants
used as food and feed, are of vital
importance to the health of man and
animals.
 Importance of plant
nutrients
i). The completion of the life cycle of
the plant cannot be achieved in the
absence of such an element.
ii). Plays a specific role in the plant.
iii). Causes set back to growth of
the plant showing visual symptoms
when the plant is
deficient in it.
 Sixteen elements identified as
essential. Carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen are obtained from air &
water.
The other thirteen elements are
referred to as fertilizer
elements and have to be
obtained from the soil and or
added through chemical
 Root absorption takes place both
as active and passive
absorption.
-Active absorption : requires
energy. Most plant nutrients are
absorbed in this manner.
-Passive absorption : part of
the transpiration cycle (mass
flow). Water and some dissolved
solutes are absorbed by this
process
 Micronutrients
Required in very small
amount
Otherwise called as
Minor Elements or
Trace Elements.
They are Mn, Mo, B, Fe,
Cl, Cu, Zn
Serial no Nutrients Functions
IT is Necessary
for evolution
1 Mn of Oxygen

Important Role
in Nitrogen
2 Mo Metabolism.
Sugar
Transport in
3 B plants

Essential for
the synthesis
4 Fe of Chlorophyll
 Cell Division In Leaves
5 Cl and Roots

Important for Several

6 Cu Reactions (Oxidation)

Biosynthesis of Growth
Hormones like Auxin,
7 Zn IAA