Chemistry – Chemistry of the environment - Fertilisers | e-Consult
Chemistry of the environment - Fertilisers (1 questions)
The availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil directly impacts plant growth. These nutrients are absorbed by plant roots in ionic form and are essential for various physiological processes. If any of these nutrients are deficient, plant growth will be stunted, and specific deficiency symptoms will appear. The severity of the symptoms depends on the degree of deficiency.
Here's a table summarizing the deficiency symptoms for each nutrient:
| Nutrient | Deficiency Symptoms |
| Nitrogen (N) | Yellowing of older leaves (chlorosis), stunted growth, reduced leaf size. |
| Phosphorus (P) | Dark green or purplish colour on leaves and stems, stunted root growth, delayed flowering. |
| Potassium (K) | Scorching or browning of leaf margins, weak stems, reduced disease resistance. |
Understanding these deficiency symptoms is crucial for diagnosing nutrient imbalances in plants and applying appropriate fertiliser treatments to ensure healthy growth and optimal crop yields. Soil testing is often used to determine the levels of these nutrients and guide fertiliser application.