Maximum Yield Australia/New Zealand 2020 September/October | Page 49

Nitrogen (N)
As the single most important nutrient
for plants, nitrogen is responsible for
plant growth, and more specifically leaf
growth, plant size, and overall health.
Plants supplied with sufficient nitrogen
will grow strong and quickly. Nitrogen
also plays a key role in photosynthesis,
serving as a component of the chlorophyll
molecule that makes plants green. As
seedlings grow into larger plants, the
demand for nitrogen also grows.
Phosphorus (P)
Also vitally important, phosphorus aids
plants in creating strong roots, making
seeds, and producing fruit, vegetables,
and flowers. Phosphorus also aids
in photosynthesis by facilitating the
plant’s energy transfer and allowing
plants to use or store energy. Demand
for this nutrient is greatest during seed
germination and early life, as well as
during fruiting or flowering. General
weakness and stunted growth are two
signs of phosphorus deficiency in plants.
Potassium (K)
The next most essential plant nutrient
after nitrogen, potassium helps with
many aspects of plant growth and
development, such as a plant’s size,
shape, and colour, not to mention
the taste of any produce. Adding
potassium to the soil helps plants with
the protein synthesis process as well
as the activation of growth enzymes.
Growth-related issues such as leaf
loss, cholrosis (scorching of leaves),
weak root systems, and stunted growth
may present when plants become too
deficient in potassium.
Seedlings and plants also tend to need
a large amount of magnesium, calcium,
and sulfur. These complete the list of
essential macronutrients commonly
required for plants and crops.
• Calcium – Calcium strengthens
plant tissues and helps to
neutralise soil and plant acidity.
Calcium in the soil also helps
improve water penetration and
decrease the soil’s salinity.
• Magnesium – This nutrient also
helps give plants their green
colour, increasing the intake of
phosphorus, increases chlorophyll,
and allows better CO 2 absorption.
• Sulfur – Sulfur helps plants produce
seeds and resist disease. This nutrient
also promotes growth, production of
chlorophyll, and helps in producing
proteins, amino acids, and enzymes.
Together, these six essential
macronutrients aid in the creation
of chlorophyll, which helps plants
convert light into energy for
photosynthesis. The process of
photosynthesis allows plants to take
sunlight, CO 2, and water and turn
them into sugar and oxygen. The
glucose created then affords plants
the ability to use that energy to grow
and repair damage or to store it for
later. Better photosynthesis enables
plants to be more prolific, with
better growth and larger and more
bountiful yields. Ensuring proper
macronutrient fertilisation has a
direct impact on plant growth and
your future harvest potential.
Best Micronutrients for Seedlings
After you monitor and amend
the soil for proper macronutrient
content, remember that many
diverse nutrients can benefit your
plants. As you become a more
experienced gardener, you may
begin to recognise signs that your
plants are craving specific nutrients.
You should consider these other key
micronutrients to inspire balanced
nutrition for your plants.
• Boron supports a plant’s
membranes in terms of structure
and function.
• Copper helps in vitamin A
production as well as protein
synthesis along with other
growth processes.
• Iron aids in food production,
energy transfer, and overall
growth, to name a few.
• Manganese supports quicker
germination, photosynthesis,
and aids in various metabolic
reactions.
• Molybdenum supports
nitrogen fixation.
• Zinc is especially vital as it
supports high yields in crops.
• Nickel is essential in urea
conversion.
• Chloride supports plant
energy reactions.
Plants need lesser concentrations
of these micronutrients, yet their
presence can have a great impact.
Even a slight deficiency in one
micronutrient can impact a plant’s
overall health and growth. Adding
organic compost can be an effective
way to increase micronutrients in
the garden.
Cotyledons
“
feed the plant so
you don’t necessarily
need to start feeding
right away.”
Maximum Yield
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