1. 2nd of May, 2007 G4 General Trading LLC Plant and Soil by Prof. Gernot K. Brueck, Ph.D.

2. 2nd of May, 2007 G4 General Trading LLC Plants consists of: carbohydrats –sugars and/or –starch proteins –aminoacids as basic element –peptides to polypeptides = proteins water

3. 2nd of May, 2007 G4 General Trading LLC The only responsible miracle for all organic matter and any life in the world is: Photosynthesis 6H 2 O (water) + 6CO 2 (carbondioxid+ energie (light) = C 6 H 12 O 6 (glycose) + 6 O 2 (oxygen) beside it: bacteria, yeasts, molds as aminoacid producers

4. 2nd of May, 2007 G4 General Trading LLC The carbon cycle

5. 2nd of May, 2007 G4 General Trading LLC Which further elements are necessary ? Nitrogen (N) –essential part of all aminoacids = proteins Potassium (K) –responsible for protein synthesis, control of ionic balance, regulation of plant stomata and water use, activation of plant enzymes and many other processes Phosphorus (P) –essential part of the photosythesis and smaller amounts of Sulfur, Magnesium and Calcium which are left out in the further consideration, because their cycles are near to potassium

6. 2nd of May, 2007 G4 General Trading LLC The phosphorus cycle

7. 2nd of May, 2007 G4 General Trading LLC The potassium cycle

8. 2nd of May, 2007 G4 General Trading LLC The nitrogen cycle Aerobic processes (= high oxygen content) are converting any nitrogen compound into plant available nutrient and anaerobic processes are leading to nitrogen losses

9. 2nd of May, 2007 G4 General Trading LLC Summary plant growth relevant a.sufficient basic nutrients N-P-K in the soil b.high oxygen content in the soil for just aerobic processes c.avoiding anaerobic situations with N and root losses d.sufficient water if the organic matter remains at the place = in the cycle, no further fertilizers are necessary !