Minerals in Plants

Minerals in Plants

Every farmer and gardener knows about NPK—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. And these nutrients are indeed important to the health and yield of the plants we rely on for food.

However, there are many other minerals of importance to plants, as well. Even if they are necessary only in small quantities, nutrients ranging from aluminum to zinc play key roles in plant and soil health.

This guide examines the minerals plants use to grow and reproduce. While there is a great deal that remains unknown in this field, we have summarized the findings that exist to date on the role these nutrients play.

Here you will also find natural sources of each mineral, as well as the causes and symptoms of both deficiency and toxicity.

Aluminum in Plants

Aluminum

Boron deficiency

Boron

Blossom end rot

Calcium

Chlorine in Plants

Chlorine

Cobalt in Plants

Cobalt

Copper in Plants

Copper

Iron deficiency in peaches

Iron

Magnesium deficiency

Magnesium

Manganese in Plants

Manganese

Molybdenum in Plants

Molybdenum

Nickel in Plants

Nickel

Nitrogen in Plants

Nitrogen

Phosphorus deficiency

Phosphorus

Potassium deficiency

Potassium

Prince's plume

Selenium

Sodium in Plants

Sodium

Sulfur in Plants

Sulfur

Zinc toxicity

Zinc