cycl
beginner’s corner
eve n pl a nt s
by Chris Bond
Fo r p l a nt s , p u mp i n g i ro n i s n’t a
l ife st y le c h o i ce . It ’s a n e ce s s ity.
ron is one of the essential nutrients required for plant health
and development. It is needed by plants in relatively low
I amounts,
relegating it into the class of micronutrients (as
opposed to those nutrients needed in large quantities, known
as macronutrients). For comparison, growers only need one
to 1.5 pounds of iron for one acre, whereas they would need
80-200 pounds of nitrogen (a macronutrient) for the same area.
Role of Iron
Like all nutrients, iron serves multiple roles within a plant’s
functions. Most notably, as a component of enzymes and
protein used by plants during photosynthesis, it is involved in
the manufacture of chlorophyll and responsible for the func-
tion, structure, and maintenance of chloroplasts (component
of plant and algae cells). It also plays a role in the process of
respiration, an essential function of life.
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grow cycle