Download Fertilizing Greenhouse & Nursery Plants

Nutrition of Greenhouse &
Nursery Plants
Nutrition
We all eat
Why?
To survive
What if we didn’t eat?
Plants have the same needs as we do
Fertilization
Objectives
To recognize the importance of plant
nutrition
Identify the essential nutrients and
fertilizers needed for plant growth
Discuss the difference between Micro and
Macro nutrients
Determine availability of nutrients
Fertilization
What is a fertilizer
Why is it important
Fertilizer is a product made of elements that
are required or beneficial for plant growth
Plants stay healthy and are maintained in
vigorous growing condition
Are less susceptible to pests and diseases
Nutrient Requirements
Nutrients are required for plant processes to
function
Transpiration
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Nutrients Availability
The nutrients required for growth are
absorbed by the plant roots
Nutrients from growing medium are
depleted
In addition some nutrients are attracted so
tightly by soil particles that they are not
available for plant use
Nutrient Loss
Nutrients are lost in many ways
Depleted by plants
Used by microorganisms
Leached because of watering
Conversion to gaseous form
Fertilizer Use
Fertilizer returns nutrients to growing
medium
Adequate levels of nutrients increases the
health and quality of plants
Increases the yield of plant crops
Promotes foliage of ornamental crops
Essential Element
What is an essential element?
an element required by plants for normal growth,
development and completion of its life cycle, and which
cannot be substituted for by other
chemical compounds.
Classified based on quantity required
Macro-nutrients
Micro-nutrients
Both are equally important
Essential Elements
Macro-Nutrients
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorous
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
Micro-Nutrients
Iron
Copper
Zinc
Boron
Molybdenum
Manganese
Chlorine
Nickel
Non-Mineral Elements
Elements that are supplied air and water
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Mineral Elements
Are supplied by soil or growing medium
Primary Nutrients
Those elements which the plant consumes
in largest amounts
Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorous(P)
Potassium(K)
Most deficient in the soil
Secondary Nutrients
Not used by plants in as large quantity as
primary nutrients
Not as deficient in soils
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
Micro-Nutrients
Needed by plants in very small quantities
Removed from soils in much smaller
amounts
Considered trace minerals
Iron
Zinc
Molybdenum
Chlorine
Copper
Boron
Manganese
Nickel
All elements have specific functions in the
growth and development of plants
When a nutrient is deficient, what do you
think happens to the plant process that is
being supported by that nutrient?
Process is slowed down or stopped
Determining availability of
nutrients and the need for fertilizer
Visual
Most obvious
Less accurate
Trained eye required
Soil/Media testing
Tests soil nutrients
Tissue testing
Tests nutrients in plant
Focus on Primary Nutrients
Nitrogen(N)
Phosphorous(P)
Potassium(K)
A fertilizer bag has 3 numbers across the front
and they represent the 3 nutrients above.
Ex. 20-30-5
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant
growth, development and reproduction.
Despite nitrogen being one of the most
abundant elements on earth, nitrogen
deficiency is probably the most common
nutritional problem affecting plants worldwide
– nitrogen from the atmosphere and earth's
crust is not directly available to plants.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is so vital because it is a major
component of chlorophyll, the compound
by which plants use sunlight energy to
produce sugars from water and carbon
dioxide (i.e., photosynthesis).
Nitrogen = Green
Phosphorous
If your plants are small, are producing little
or no flowers and have a bright green or
purplish cast to them, you have a
phosphorus deficiency. Since most plants in
the garden are grown for their flowers or
fruit, replacing phosphorus in the soil if it is
lacking is very important.
Phosphorous = Flowering/fruiting
Potassium
Potassium is an essential plant nutrient and
is required in large amounts for proper
growth and reproduction of plants.
If K is deficient or not supplied in adequate
amounts, growth is stunted and yields are
reduced.
Potassium = Strong Roots/plant
support
Potassium
Various research efforts have shown that
potassium
stimulates early growth,
increases protein production,
improves the efficiency of water use,
is vital for stand persistence, longevity, and
winter hardiness of alfalfa, and
improves resistance to diseases and insects.