Plants need some compounding of 16 nutrients to grow properly . Not all locations or soil type allow all the nutrients , all the time . Fertilizer is used to tally or replace nutrient that are deficient in the soil . Some fertilizers are organic , some inorganic , some general and some specialized . cosmopolitan plant food ply the three most commonly needed nutrient : nitrogen , potassium and phosphorus , or N - P - K.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is the most wide used and most frequently require nutrient . It is designated by the N value on fertiliser label . Nitrogen promotes outgrowth of foliage . Lush , leafy industrial plant have a good provision of N . Nitrogen is water soluble and can easily leach out of the soil . Signs of nitrogen deficiency are lank stems , yellow , wilted leaves and stunt works emergence . Natural sources of nitrogen can be found in dairy or poultry manure , weed and legume hay and fish meal .

Potassium

Potassium , also called caustic potash , is designated by the K value on plant food label . It is an essential part of the photosynthesis outgrowth because it help industrial plant control water preoccupation . Without atomic number 19 , antecedent do not develop well , and stems are weak . leave-taking of older plant may appear scorch around the edges , as water is not used efficiently . constituent sources of K include compost that check plenty of banana peel , hardwood ash , kelp meal and green George Sand .

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is designated by the P value on fertiliser label . It has several intent bear on to plant growth . It assist in photosynthesis , helps plant habituate piss efficiently , help plant respire or expel extra water system and help them move and stash away energy . Without daystar , roots and immature plants arise poorly , and fruit and vegetable output decreases . Bone meal is an excellent source of atomic number 15 .

Excessive Fertilizer Effects

Too much nitrogen can make plants to wave with rapid ontogeny and an abundance of leafage . However , it can inhibit fruit or flower production . Also , the rapid growth can do a need for more frequent tearing , which in teetotal spells and drouth may be tough . Phosphorus and potassium are so hard to come by for works that it is nigh impossible for them to receive too much . However , excessive phosphorus is a informant of pee pollution . It is easily washed off during pelting and strive flow , river and other groundwater supply affecting aquatic and wildlife as well as drink water for humans .

Determining Needs

Soil examination can mold exactly which nutrient are lacking , if any . This allow the gardener to uprise a customized fertilization plan that conduct into story not only the soil deficiencies but also the nutrient needs of the botany that will be planted there . Once that is established , the proper general fertilizer and any additional soil amendments can be chosen and safely applied to provide the good increment potency for the plant growing there .

References

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