The Role of Soil Minerals in
Plant Health
When we think of fertilizing our lawns or gardens, we usually only think of the big 3—Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, or Potash (aka NPK). But humans, animals and plants need many different types of nutrients. Soil minerals are also needed in addition to the big 3. Plants receive nutrients from the soil they're anchored in. There are 16 plant nutrients necessary for the best growth, development, and food value of the plants we grow. Air and water will provide oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. The soil has the macronutrients and the micronutrients that are used in large amounts. The macronutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. The micronutrients are manganese, copper, iron, zinc, boron, chlorine, and molybdenum, which are only needed in small quantities. Ensure that your plants are receiving all these elements and you'll be a happy gardener. You'll also be doing your part for a healthier environment, and healthier eaters. Minerals and Elements Used by PlantsBoron-B-found in solubar, borax, and compost; controls quality and taste of food crops; disease resistance. Calcium-Ca-one of the minerals in lime, bone meal, colloidal phosphate, gypsum, and marl. It feeds microorganisms, affects permeability of cell walls; and affects soil pH. Carbon-C-found in plant residue, compost leonardite, humate, coal, and carbon dioxide. Is essential for nitrogen and phosphate availability; microorganisms food source. Chlorine-Cl-source is city treated water and compost. Helps crop stimulation. Copper-Cu-copper sulfate, bourdeaux. Helps disease resistance and makes strong stalks. Essential. Hydrogen-H-found in water and air. Responsible for metabolic activities. Iron-Fe-found in copperas(ferrous sulfate), chelated iron, and some organic fertilizers. Provides chlorophyll formation and photosynthesis; green color. Magnesium-Mg-in Sul-Po-Mag, epsom salts, plant residues, compost, and Pro Mag 36. Its a component of chlorophyll, helps hold soil together, aids phosphate metabolism and effects soil pH. Manganese-Mn-is in manganese sulfates and chelates. helps enzyme system. Molybdenum-Mo-can be found in most organic fertilizers and compost. Aids nitrogen fixation, health of microorganisms. Nitrogen-one of the main minerals in organic matter, released by microorganisms and most fertilizers. A component of proteins, vital to general plant functions and growth. Soil oxygen-O-minerals found in water, hydrogen peroxide, and biostimulants. Is critical for biological processes in soil. Phosphorus-P-is in colloidal phosphate, rock phosphate, compost, and phosphoric acid. Helps transfer plant energy, color and vitality of plants, and increases seed and flower size. Potassium (potash)-K-granite, greensand, potassium sulfate, Sul-Po-Mag, molasses, plant residues, and compost. Metabolic regulator, produces winter and summer hardiness, root and shoot balance, and movement of plant foods. Sodium-Na-found in most manures and compost. metabolic regulator, produces winter and summer hardiness, root and shoot balance, and movement of plant foods. Sulfur-S-compost, molasses, sulfates, plant residues, and gypsum. It will improve taste of food crops, increase protein content and seed production, and assists legume nodule development. Zinc-Zn-kelp meal, liquid seaweed, and zinc sulfates. Aids vegetables and fruits to obtain sweet taste. Essential mineral. Always have detailed soil test done first. Look at the soil zinc page. From Soil Minerals to Organic Fertilizers
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