Hooper`s Garden Center
Guide to Plant Nutrients

Nitrogen (N)Macronutrient-Primary
Function in Plant
  • Part of all living cells. Necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy.
  • Part of chlorophyll, the green pigment of the plant that is responsible for photosynthesis.
  • * Helps plant with rapid growth, increasing seed and fruit production and improving the quality of leaf and forage crops.
Deficiency SymptomsLight green to yellow leaves. Stunted growth.
Excess SymptomsDark green. Excessive growth. Retarded maturity. Loss of buds or fruit.
SourcesUrea, Ammonia Nitrates
Phosphorous (P) Macronutrient-Primary
Function in Plant
  • Essential part of the process of photosynthesis.
  • Involved in the formation of all oils, sugars, starches, etc.
  • Helps with the transformation of solar energy into chemical energy, proper plant maturation and withstanding stress.
  • * Effects rapid growth and encourages early formation and growth of roots.
Deficiency Symptoms Red or purple leaves
Excess Symptoms Possible tie up of other essential elements
Sources Superphosphate, Rock phosphate
Potassium (K) Macronutrient-Primary
Function in Plant
  • Potassium is absorbed by plants in larger amounts than any other mineral element except nitrogen and, in some cases, calcium.
  • Helps in the building of protein, photosynthesis, fruit quality, reduction of diseases and plant vigor.
  • Stimulates production of strong-stiff stalks, sugar, starches, and oils.
  • * Improves crop yields.
Deficiency Symptoms Reduced vigor, susceptibility to diseases. Thin skins and small fruit.
Excess Symptoms Coarse, poor colored fruit. Reduced absorption of Magnesium (Mg) & Calcium (Ca)
Sources Muriate or Sulphate of Potash
Calcium (Ca) Macronutrient-Secondary.
Function in Plant
  • Essential part of plant cell wall structure and enzymes.
  • Provides for normal transport and retention of other elements and plant strength.
  • Thought to counteract the effect of alkali salts and organic acids within a plant. .
Deficiency Symptoms Stops growing point of plants.
Excess Symptoms Reduces the intake of Potassium (K) and Magnesium (Mg).
Sources Gypsum and Lime.
Magnesium (Mg) Macronutrient-Secondary
Function in Plant
  • Magnesium is a key part of the chlorophyll in all green plants and essential for photosynthesis.
  • It also helps activate many plant enzymes needed for growth.
Deficiency Symptoms
  • Reduced yield and stunted growth.
  • Increased susceptibility to disease.
  • Chlorosis or yellowing of leaves between veins
Excess Symptoms Reduces absorption of Calcium (Ca) and Potassium (K)
SourcesMagnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts)
Sulfur (S) Macronutrient-Secondary
Function in Plant
  • Essential for production of protein.
  • Promotes activity and development of enzymes and vitamins.
  • Helps in chlorophyll formation.
  • Improves root growth and seed production.
  • * Helps with vigorous plant growth and resistance to cold.
Deficiency Symptoms Looks like Nitrogen (N) deficiency. Light green to yellow leaves. Stunted growth.
Excess Symptoms Sulfur burn from too low pH
Sources Sulfur
Boron (B) Micronutrient
Function in Plant
  • Helps in the use of and regulation of other nutrients.
  • Aids production of sugar and carbohydrates.
  • Essential for seed and fruit development. Affects germination of pollen tube.
Deficiency Symptoms Small leaves. Heart rot and corkiness. Multiple buds.
Excess Symptoms Leaves turn yellowish red
Sources Borax
Chloride (Cl) Micronutrient
Function in Plant
  • Aids plant metabolism.
Deficiency Symptoms Chlorosis and wilting of young leaves
Excess Symptoms Scorched leaf edges
Sources Generally found in the soil
Copper (Cu) Micronutrient
Function in Plant
  • Important for reproductive growth.
  • Aids in root metabolism and helps in the utilization of proteins.
  • Enzyme Activator
Deficiency Symptoms Multiple budding. Gum pockets.
Excess Symptoms Prevents the uptake of Iron (Fe). Causes stunting of roots.
Sources Copper Sulfate
Iron (Fe)Micronutrient
Function in Plant
  • Essential for formation of chlorophyll.
  • A catalyst in the enzyme system.
  • Hemoglobin in legumes.
Deficiency Symptoms Yellowing of leaves with veins remaining green
Excess Symptoms None known
Sources Iron Sulfate, chelated Iron
Manganese (Mn)Micronutrient
Function in Plant
  • Functions with enzyme systems involved in breakdown of carbohydrates, and nitrogen metabolism.
Deficiency Symptoms Mottled chlorosis of the leaves. Stunted growth.
Excess Symptoms Small dead areas in the leaves with yellow borders around them
Sources Manganese Sulfate
Molybdenum (Mo)Micronutrient
Function in Plant
  • Helps in the use of nitrogen
Deficiency Symptoms Symptoms in plants vary greatly
Excess Symptoms Poisonous to livestock
Sources Sodium Molybdate
Zinc (Zn)Micronutrient
Function in Plant
  • Essential for the transformation of carbohydrates.
  • Regulates consumption of sugars.
  • * Part of the enzyme systems which regulate plant growth and cell division.
Deficiency Symptoms Small, thin, yellow leaves. Low yields
Excess Symptoms None known
Sources Zinc Sulfate
Carbon (C) Nutrient from Air & Water
Function in Plant
  • Keystone of all organic substances
Deficiency Symptoms None known
Excess Symptoms None known
Sources Air (Carbon Dioxide-CO2)
Oxygen (O)Nutrient from Air & Water
Function in Plant
  • Respiration
Deficiency Symptoms White areas at leaf veins. High nitrates.
Excess Symptoms None known
Sources Air and Water
Hydrogen (H)Nutrient from Air & Water
Function in Plant
  • Necessary in all plant functions
Deficiency Symptoms Wilting
Excess Symptoms Drowning
Sources Water

Courtesy of Hooper`s Garden Center
2205 Mt Highway 35 East
Kalispell, Mt 59901
(406) 752-2770
www.hoopersgardencenter.com