Forms of nutrient elements used by plants
a) Nutrient absorbed in uncombined form
|
S.N |
Nutrients elements |
Forms absorbed by plants |
|
1 |
Potassium |
K+ |
|
2 |
Calcium |
Ca++ |
|
3 |
Magnesium |
Mg++ |
|
4 |
Iron |
Fe++(Ferrous) and Fe+++(Ferric) |
|
5 |
Manganese |
Mn++( Manganous) and Mn+++( Manganic) |
|
6 |
Copper |
Cu+(Cuprous) , Cu++( Cupric) |
|
7 |
Zinc |
Zn++ |
|
8 |
Chlorine |
Cl– |
|
9 |
Cobalt |
Co++ |
|
10 |
Sodium |
Na+ |
b) Nutrients absorbed in combined form or as salts
|
S.N |
Nutrients elements |
Forms absorbed by plants |
|
11 |
Nitrogen |
NH4+ (Ammonium) , NO3–(Nitrate) |
|
12 |
Phosphorous |
PO4–(Phosphate), HPO4–(Phosphate), H2PO4(Orthophospheric acid) |
|
13 |
Sulphur |
SO3 (Sulphite), SO4— (Sulphate) |
|
14 |
Boron |
H3BO3 (Boric acid) , H2BO3 |
|
15 |
Molybdenum |
MoO4– ( Molybdate) |
|
16 |
Carbon |
CO2(mostly through leaves) |
|
17 |
Hydrogen |
HOH( Hydrogen from water ), OH– |
For proper growth and development of field crops the nutrient should fulfill the following conditions:
a) They must be present in available form.
b) The nutrient must be in a concentration optimum for plant growth.
c) There must be a proper balance among the concentrations of various soluble nutrients in the soil.
d) The availability of the nutrients should be according to the requirements of the plant concerned at its different stages of growth and development.
