Study GuidePlant Biology–Mineral Nutrition1. Essential Elements1.1Essential Elements in Plant Nutrition (Easy Explanation)What Are Essential Elements?Most of a flowering plant’s dry weight—over 95%—comes from justthree elements:•Carbon (C)•Hydrogen (H)•Oxygen (O)Plants get these mainly fromair and water.The remaining5%of a plant’s dry weight comes fromminerals absorbed from the soil. Althoughplant roots can absorb many elements from the soil,only 14 of them are actually necessaryforhealthy growth.When we add these 14 soil elements to carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, we get a total of17 essentialinorganic nutrientsneeded by plants.1.2Macronutrients and MicronutrientsPlants do not need all nutrients in the same amount. Based on how much the plant needs, nutrientsare divided into two groups:Macronutrients (needed in large amounts)•From air and water:•Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O)•From soil:•Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K),•Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulfur (S)Preview Mode
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