Minerals Source And Roles

Minerals discussed. When we think of fertilizing our lawns or gardens we usually only think of the big 3(N-P-K), Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium(Potash). But the big picture is that we and plants need many different types of nutrients. Soil Minerals are also needed with the big 3. Plants will receive their food from the air, water, and the soil. We find 16 plant nutrients that are necessary for the plants best growth, development, and food value. Air and water will provide oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. The soil has the macronutrients which are used in large amounts: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. The micronutrients are: manganese, copper, iron, zinc, boron, chlorine, and molybdenum and these are needed in smaller quantities. You add all these elements together and and make sure your land and plants are getting them and you are in utopia. By keeping to the organic applications of these you know you are doing your part for a healthy enviroment.

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Boron-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 leonardlite, 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 mineral.

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-N -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.

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 movemnt of plant foods.

Sulfur-S -compost, molasses, sulfates, plant residues, and gypsum . It will improve taste of food crops, increase protein content and seed producton, and assists legume nodule development.

Zinc-Zn -kelp meal, liquid seaweed, and zinc sulfates. Aids vegetables and fruits to obtain sweet taste. Essential mineral.

Pelletized Calcium-Increases sugar content of apples. Click here