Plant Nutrients Definition - What Do Plants Need for Healthy Growth?

Plants need certain essential nutrients to grow and develop properly. These plant nutrients play an important role in the growth and development of plants and include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, chlorine, molybdenum, nickel, and cobalt. All of these elements are important to the growth and development of a healthy and productive plant.

Nitrogen is essential for the production of proteins and enzymes that are used in photosynthesis and respiration. Phosphorus helps plants store energy while potassium helps regulate the water balance in the plant. Calcium helps strengthen cell walls and cell membranes, while sulfur helps with the formation of chlorophyll. Magnesium is necessary for the growth of root systems and flower buds, while iron helps produce chlorophyll. Manganese helps with photosynthesis, copper helps with the production of glucose and other sugars, zinc helps in the formation of proteins, boron helps maintain ionic balance, chlorine helps keep cells rigid and molybdenum assists in the metabolism of nitrogen.

These essential plant nutrients act as catalysts for many enzymatic reactions in the plant. Without them, a plant would not be able to produce the energy it needs to survive and thrive. Without sufficient amounts of these essential nutrients, a plant will become weak, vulnerable to disease and may even die.

Some plant nutrients are more important than others. Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are considered the most important and are often referred to as the "big three". These three elements are needed in larger quantities and if one or more of these is lacking, then the plant’s growth and development can be severely affected. The other elements are important for specific functions within the plant, such as iron for chlorophyll production, or sulfur for protein synthesis.

The availability of plant nutrients is determined by the soil or growing medium in which the plant grows. If the soil or growing medium does not contain enough of the required nutrients, then the plant will not be able to grow properly. Fertilizers are used to supplement the soil or growing medium so that plants can receive their required nutrients. However, too much of any particular nutrient can cause problems, so it is important to use fertilizers correctly.