The main plant
nutrients are: Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.
Plants get Nitrogen,
Phosphorus and Sulfur from their roots and Carbon for their leaves
(Photosynthesis process). Nitrogen and Phosphorus are important for the growth
and survival of the plants. In the processes of photosynthesis plants use the
sunlight to change the Ca and H2O into sugars and starches and all because
these sugars and starches are the plants food.
Nitrogen (N) is on the
pigment of chlorophyll, and this pigment is responsible for the process of
photosynthesis. It also helps plants to grow faster and increasing fruit
productivity.
Phosphorus (P) just
like Nitrogen, phosphorus is very important in the process of photosynthesis. It
stimulates blooming and root growth and also it helps in the process formation
of sugars and starches.
Sulfur (S) helps in the
formation of chlorophyll, it also helps plant in the protection from the cold;
it stimulates the activity and development of enzymes and vitamins. (Royal Horticultural Society )
When there is a lack of
Nitrogen in plants than you will see that the leaves are a bit yellowish with
some pink tints. Nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll so when there is a lack of
nitrogen in the plant, the leaves will be yellow and this is that causes the
falling of the leaves in the spring.
As it stimulates
blooming and root growth the lack of phosphorus in plants are that plants will
grow very slowly and yellow leaves and leaf tips look burnt.
Yellow leaves are a characteristic of sulfur
or nitrogen deficiency so it is a bit hard to distinguish between them. But there is a difference
between these two. When there is a nitrogen deficiency the first leaves to turn
yellow are the older leaves but when there is a sulfur deficiency the new
leaves turn yellow first. (Royal Horticultural Society )
(Nutrient deficiency in plants)
