Plants, including vegetables and herbs, require a dozen or so nutrients for proper growth.They are divided into macro- and microelements. Macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S) are used by plants to the greatest extent, but also micronutrients have many important functions. Multicomponent fertilizers often, apart from macronutrients, also contain micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, B, Zn, Mo).That is why plants need them:
-Iron(Fe), like magnesium, corresponds to, inter alia, for the process of photosynthesis and respiration - with its deficiency, chloroses appear on young leaves (in the absence of magnesium, chloroses appear on older leaves);
-Bor(B) is responsible for the transport of carbohydrates and participates in the formation of cell walls. Its deficiency causes chlorosis, darkening and dying off of young leaves and shoots, as well as cracking of fruit and storage roots;
-Copper(Cu) is found in many plant enzymes and is involved in photosynthesis. On the other hand, copper deficiency manifests itself in dieback and curling of leaf tips, as well as chlorosis and dieback of leaf edges, mainly young ones;
-Zinc(Zn) is a component of many plant enzymes and is responsible for the protein content. Its deficiency leads to the formation of necrotic spots on young leaves, preceded by severe chlorosis.
Unfortunately, the symptoms that we can observe on plants already indicate high deficiencies of these ingredients, therefore, in amateur and commercial cultivation, fertilizers containing also microelements are used.When you see the first discoloration on seedlings or later on vegetables or herbs, it is best to apply a multi-component liquid fertilizer, dissolved in an appropriate amount of water, and spray and water the plants with it.
