1. Nutrition of Greenhouse & Nursery Plants

2. Nutrition We all eat Why? To survive What if we didn’t eat?
Plants have the same needs as we do
Fertilization

3. Objectives To recognize the importance of plant nutrition
Identify the essential nutrients and fertilizers needed for plant growth
Discuss the difference between Micro and Macro nutrients
Determine availability of nutrients

4. Fertilization What is a fertilizer Why is it important
Fertilizer is a product made of elements that are required or beneficial for plant growth
Plants stay healthy and are maintained in vigorous growing condition
Are less susceptible to pests and diseases

5. Nutrient Requirements
Nutrients are required for plant processes to function
Transpiration
Respiration
Photosynthesis

6. Nutrients Availability
The nutrients required for growth are absorbed by the plant roots
Nutrients from growing medium are depleted
In addition some nutrients are attracted so tightly by soil particles that they are not available for plant use

7. Nutrient Loss Nutrients are lost in many ways Depleted by plants
Used by microorganisms
Leached because of watering
Conversion to gaseous form

8. Fertilizer Use Fertilizer returns nutrients to growing medium
Adequate levels of nutrients increases the health and quality of plants
Increases the yield of plant crops
Promotes foliage of ornamental crops

9. Essential Element What is an essential element?
an element required by plants for normal growth, development and completion of its life cycle, and which cannot be substituted for by other chemical compounds.  
Classified based on quantity required
Macro-nutrients
Micro-nutrients
Both are equally important

10. Essential Elements Macro-Nutrients Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Nitrogen
Phosphorous
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
Micro-Nutrients
Iron
Copper
Zinc
Boron
Molybdenum
Manganese
Chlorine
Nickel

11. Non-Mineral Elements Elements that are supplied air and water Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen

12. Mineral Elements
Are supplied by soil or growing medium

13. Primary Nutrients
Those elements which the plant consumes in largest amounts
Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorous(P)
Potassium(K)
Most deficient in the soil

14. Secondary Nutrients
Not used by plants in as large quantity as primary nutrients
Not as deficient in soils
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur

15. Micro-Nutrients Needed by plants in very small quantities
Removed from soils in much smaller amounts
Considered trace minerals
Iron
Copper
Zinc
Boron
Molybdenum
Manganese
Chlorine
Nickel

16. All elements have specific functions in the growth and development of plants
When a nutrient is deficient, what do you think happens to the plant process that is being supported by that nutrient?
Process is slowed down or stopped

17. Determining availability of nutrients and the need for fertilizer
Visual
Most obvious
Less accurate
Trained eye required
Soil/Media testing
Tests soil nutrients
Tissue testing
Tests nutrients in plant

18. Focus on Primary Nutrients
Nitrogen(N)
Phosphorous(P)
Potassium(K)
A fertilizer bag has 3 numbers across the front and they represent the 3 nutrients above. Ex

19. Nitrogen
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth, development and reproduction. Despite nitrogen being one of the most abundant elements on earth, nitrogen deficiency is probably the most common nutritional problem affecting plants worldwide – nitrogen from the atmosphere and earth's crust is not directly available to plants.

20. Nitrogen = Green Nitrogen
Nitrogen is so vital because it is a major component of chlorophyll, the compound by which plants use sunlight energy to produce sugars from water and carbon dioxide (i.e., photosynthesis).
Nitrogen = Green

21. Phosphorous = Flowering/fruiting
 If your plants are small, are producing little or no flowers and have a bright green or purplish cast to them, you have a phosphorus deficiency. Since most plants in the garden are grown for their flowers or fruit, replacing phosphorus in the soil if it is lacking is very important.
Phosphorous = Flowering/fruiting

22. Potassium = Strong Roots/plant support
Potassium is an essential plant nutrient and is required in large amounts for proper growth and reproduction of plants.
 If K is deficient or not supplied in adequate amounts, growth is stunted and yields are reduced.
Potassium = Strong Roots/plant support

23. Potassium Various research efforts have shown that potassium
stimulates early growth,
increases protein production,
improves the efficiency of water use,
is vital for stand persistence, longevity, and winter hardiness of alfalfa, and
improves resistance to diseases and insects.