Nutrients

Question 1

Nitrogen

N

Answer 1

Builds proteins
Important for growth
Promotes good healthy leafy growth
Easily washed out of soil in wet conditions

Symptoms of deficiency -
Spindly growth
Yellowing effecting old leaves first

Question 2

Phosphorus

P

Answer 2

Used in photosynthesis and flower formation

Promotes good root growth, plus vital for germination

Symptoms of deficiency -
Dull foliage
Slow growth
Less flowers

Question 3

Potassium

K

Answer 3

Needed for water uptake in cells - controls stomata
Plus needed for photosynthesis

Promotes good flower and fruit formation

Symptoms of deficiency -
Poor fruit
Yellow leaves with brown edges
Poor flowering and fruiting

Clay soils hold potassium within their structure

Question 4

Magnesium

Answer 4

Needed for chlorophyll

Yellowing leaves between green veins

Chlorosis

Epsom salts can be used to in the short term

Question 5

Calcium

Answer 5

Needed for cell walls

Weak stems
Pale young leaves

Question 6

Iron

Answer 6

Needed for photosynthesis

Symptoms of deficiency-
Yellowing between veins

Note plants that need acid soils will show signs of iron deficiency in alkaline soils
As lime soils make iron less available to them

Question 7

Chlorosis

Answer 7

Yellowing or discolouration of leaves