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Plant NutrientsPlants assimilate nutrients in an ionic (charged) form, either positive (+) or negative (-). The plant root exists in the soil in a thin water film that surrounds the root. This is considered the soil water solution. When nutrients are flowing to the plant in this water solution, and are in the below ionic form, they are considered soluble and can be utilized by the plant for uptake and metabolism. | Nutrient | Ionic Form | Functions in Plants | | Carbon | CO2 | Simple sugar formation | | Hydrogen | H2O | Simple sugar formation | | Oxygen | H2O | Simple sugar formation | | Nitrogen | NO3 NH4+ | Growth and photosynthesis | | Phosphorous | PO4 | Energy storage and transfer | | Potassium | K+ | Water & nutrient transfer, nitrogen conversion, +/- balance | | Calcium | Ca++ | Cell structure, root growth, bud and shoot development, +/- balance | | Magnesium | Mg++ | Chlorophyll and photosynthesis, enzyme reactions, +/- balance | | Sulfur | SO4- | Nitrogen conversion and protein synthesis | | Iron | Fe+++ | Enzyme activity, oxygen utilization, photosynthesis | | Zinc | Zn++ | Enzyme activity, O2 evolution | | Manganese | Mn++ | Enzyme activity, carbohydrate metabolism | | Copper | Cu++ | Enzyme activity, cell lignification(strength), pollen formation | | Boron | H3BO3 B(OH)3 | Enzyme activity, root elongation, pollen tube viability | | Molybdenum | MoO4 | Enzyme activity, nitrate reduction | | Chlorine | CI | Water relations | | Nickel | Ni++ | Nitrogen metabolism |
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