Plant nutrients
Plants use minerals from the soil to build the complex molecules they need to survive and grow. Poor plant growth may be due to a deficiency in one or more minerals.
Mineral requirements
Fertilisers contain minerals such as:
- nitrates
- phosphates
- potassium compounds
These minerals are needed for healthy plant growth. The table summarises why.
| Mineral | Element supplied | Why needed |
| Nitrates | Nitrogen, N | Nitrogen is needed to make amino acids for proteins, which are needed for cell growth |
| Phosphates | Phosphorus, P | Phosphorus is needed to make DNA and cell membranes |
| Potassium compounds | Potassium, K | Potassium is needed in enzymes involved in respiration and photosynthesis |
| Mineral | Nitrates |
|---|---|
| Element supplied | Nitrogen, N |
| Why needed | Nitrogen is needed to make amino acids for proteins, which are needed for cell growth |
| Mineral | Phosphates |
|---|---|
| Element supplied | Phosphorus, P |
| Why needed | Phosphorus is needed to make DNA and cell membranes |
| Mineral | Potassium compounds |
|---|---|
| Element supplied | Potassium, K |
| Why needed | Potassium is needed in enzymes involved in respiration and photosynthesis |
A rating used to label fertilisers depending on their content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. show the relative proportions of nitrates, phosphates and potassium in a fertiliser. They help farmers decide which fertiliser is best for the soil conditions in their fields.