Role nutrients for the full life of plants is of high importance. Thanks to the micro- and macroelements that they receive from water, from the soil and together with fertilizers, green mass increases and forms lush flowering, among fruit plants, productivity increases.
Also, nutritional elements, which are in balance, help strengthen the plant’s immunity to diseases and pests. Each element plays a specific role in the life of the entire organism.
Let's take a closer look the role of the main minerals in the life of plants, and also learn about fertilizers that are best suited for pets.
Macroelements and their importance for plants
Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen is the main element for plants. A lack of nitrogen provokes a slowdown in the growth of the vegetative mass, and the color of the leaf blades changes.
Ammonium and nitric acid salts are favorable for better absorption of nitrogen by plants. Ammonium, potassium and calcium nitrate, and urea are considered excellent nitrogen fertilizers.
Potassium (K)
Potassium increases the ability of cells to retain necessary moisture. With a lack of potassium, the edges of the leaves die, which resembles burns. The leaves are covered brown-yellow spots, which is the result of impaired nitrogen metabolism.
Potassium preparations improve plant resistance to low temperatures, to diseases, accelerates the formation of underground tubers, stems, etc. Potassium chloride or potassium salt can be used as fertilizers.
Phosphorus (P)
Phosphorus takes part in the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Phosphorus deficiency especially affects the early stages of plant development.
The lack of phosphorus in the required quantities leads to slower growth, flowering and delayed development of the root system.
Double superphosphate or simple superphosphate, potassium phosphate are well suited for fertilizer. Read more about it with us.
Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium is a component of the chlorophyll molecule and takes part in the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.
Magnesium deficiency manifests itself in the destruction of chlorophyll. In this case, marbling occurs on the leaf blades, they turn pale and acquire a variegated color. The source of magnesium is magnesium sulfate.
Calcium (Ca)
Calcium increases plant immunity, participates in the development of a strong root system and helps the formation of root hairs in large quantities. Calcium deficiency leads to damage to the growth points of above-ground organs and roots.
Popular source calcium is calcium nitrate.
Microelements and their importance for plants
Iron (Fe)
Iron participates in redox reactions of respiration, resulting in the formation of chlorophyll.
Iron deficiency affects the leaves and they turn a light yellow (chlorotic) color. Iron is found in iron sulfate and chloride complexes.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Molybdenum influences the overall development of plants. Molybdenum deficiency causes leaves to become dull or appear yellow-green in color.
This leads to an imbalance of water and nitrogen metabolism. Ammonium molybdate is used to replenish this element.
Manganese (Mn)
Manganese important element for redox reactions, chlorophyll formation and respiration. Manganese deficiency leads to iron acidification, which accumulates in the plant and leads to further poisoning. In balance, the ratio of manganese to iron should be 1:3. Manganese is found in manganese sulfate.
Zinc (Zn)
Zinc Helps in the formation of growth substances and chlorophyll. A lack of zinc leads to the formation of light green chlorotic spots on the leaves, and the foliage itself becomes small. Zinc sulfate is used to balance this element.
Boron (B)
Bor necessary for root respiration. Lack of bromine leads to weak flowering, the growing point of the vegetative part and the root often dies. With a lack of boron, calcium is poorly absorbed. Suitable as fertilizer boric acid.
Copper (Cu)
Copper a necessary element for protein and carbohydrate metabolism. This element increases the plant's resistance to fungal infections. Copper can be replenished with copper sulfate.
Rules for fertilizing plants
Applying fertilizers complex, single-component, mineral or organic, it must be remembered that they can only be absorbed in weak solutions. Too high doses of nutrients can burn the leaves or roots of the plant.
For the preparation of For fertilizing, use soft, settled water, rain or spring water, if possible, at room temperature.
Feeding carried out in the morning or evening. Do not fertilize plants at lunchtime, during the scorching sun.
Exists two types of feeding: root and foliar, which is applied during the spraying period. For indoor plants, foliar nutrition is better suited.
Also, you can use it as organic feeding for plants, and learn about and its effect on plant growth.
And for those who like to know more, we suggest watching a video about fertilizer indoor plants
Fig, fig, fig tree - these are all names of the same plant, which we strongly associate with Mediterranean life. Anyone who has ever tasted fig fruits knows how delicious they are. But, in addition to their delicate sweet taste, they are also very beneficial for health. And here's an interesting detail: it turns out that figs are completely unpretentious plant. In addition, it can be successfully grown on a plot in middle lane or in the house - in a container.
Quite often, difficulties in growing tomato seedlings arise even among experienced summer residents. For some, all the seedlings turn out to be elongated and weak, for others, they suddenly begin to fall and die. The thing is that it is difficult to maintain in an apartment ideal conditions for growing seedlings. Seedlings of any plants need to be provided with plenty of light, sufficient humidity and optimal temperature. What else do you need to know and observe when growing tomato seedlings in an apartment?
Delicious vinaigrette with apple and sauerkraut - a vegetarian salad made from boiled and chilled, raw, pickled, salted, pickled vegetables and fruits. The name comes from the French sauce made from vinegar, olive oil and mustard (vinaigrette). Vinaigrette appeared in Russian cuisine not so long ago, around the beginning of the 19th century; perhaps the recipe was borrowed from Austrian or German cuisine, since the ingredients for Austrian herring salad are very similar.
When we dreamily sort through bright packets of seeds in our hands, we are sometimes subconsciously convinced that we have a prototype of the future plant. We mentally allocate a place for it in the flower garden and look forward to the cherished day of the appearance of the first bud. However, buying seeds does not always guarantee that you will eventually get the desired flower. I would like to draw attention to the reasons why seeds may not sprout or die at the very beginning of germination.
Spring is coming, and gardeners have more work to do, and with the onset of warmer weather, changes in the garden occur rapidly. The buds are already beginning to swell on plants that were still dormant yesterday, and everything is literally coming to life before our eyes. After a long winter, this is good news. But along with the garden, its problems come to life - insect pests and pathogens. Weevils, flower beetles, aphids, clasterosporiosis, maniliosis, scab, powdery mildew- the list could take a very long time.
Breakfast toast with avocado and egg salad is a great way to start the day. The egg salad in this recipe acts as a thick sauce that is seasoned with fresh vegetables and shrimp. My egg salad is quite unusual, it is a dietary version of everyone’s favorite snack - with Feta cheese, Greek yogurt and red caviar. If you have time in the morning, never deny yourself the pleasure of cooking something tasty and healthy. You need to start the day with positive emotions!
Perhaps every woman has at least once received a blooming orchid as a gift. It’s not surprising, because such a living bouquet looks amazing and blooms for a long time. Orchids are not very difficult to grow. indoor crops, but failure to comply with the main conditions for their maintenance often leads to the loss of a flower. If you are just getting started with indoor orchids, you should find out the correct answers to the main questions about growing these beautiful plants in the house.
Lush cheesecakes with poppy seeds and raisins prepared according to this recipe are eaten in no time in my family. Moderately sweet, plump, tender, with an appetizing crust, without excess oil, in a word, exactly the same as my mother or grandmother fried in childhood. If the raisins are very sweet, then you don’t need to add granulated sugar at all; without sugar, the cheesecakes will be better fried and will never burn. Cook them in a well-heated frying pan, greased with oil, over low heat and without a lid!
Cherry tomatoes differ from their larger counterparts not only in the small size of their berries. Many cherry varieties are characterized by a unique sweet taste, which is very different from the classic tomato taste. Anyone who has never tried such cherry tomatoes with their eyes closed may well decide that they are tasting some unusual Exotic fruits. In this article I will talk about five different cherry tomatoes that have the sweetest fruits with unusual colors.
I started growing annual flowers in the garden and on the balcony more than 20 years ago, but I will never forget my first petunia, which I planted in the country along the path. Only a couple of decades have passed, but you’re amazed at how different the petunias of the past are from the many-sided hybrids of today! In this article, I propose to trace the history of the transformation of this flower from a simpleton into a real queen of annuals, and also consider modern varieties unusual colors.
Salad with spicy chicken, mushrooms, cheese and grapes - aromatic and satisfying. This dish can be served as a main dish if you are preparing a cold dinner. Cheese, nuts, mayonnaise are high-calorie foods; in combination with spicy fried chicken and mushrooms, you get a very nutritious snack, which is refreshed by sweet and sour grapes. The chicken in this recipe is marinated in a spicy mixture of ground cinnamon, turmeric and chili powder. If you like food with fire, use hot chili.
The question is how to grow healthy seedlings, all summer residents are concerned in early spring. It seems that there are no secrets here - the main thing for fast and strong seedlings is to provide them with warmth, moisture and light. But in practice, in a city apartment or private house, this is not so easy to do. Of course, everyone experienced gardener There is a proven way to grow seedlings. But today we will talk about a relatively new assistant in this matter - the propagator.
The Sanka tomato variety is one of the most popular in Russia. Why? The answer is simple. He is the very first to bear fruit in the garden. Tomatoes ripen when other varieties have not even bloomed yet. Of course, if you follow the growing recommendations and make an effort, even a novice grower will receive a rich harvest and joy from the process. And so that your efforts are not in vain, we advise you to plant high-quality seeds. For example, such as seeds from TM “Agrosuccess”.
The task of indoor plants in the house is to decorate the home with their appearance and create a special atmosphere of comfort. For this reason, we are ready to take care of them regularly. Care is not only about watering on time, although this is important. It is also necessary to create other conditions: suitable lighting, humidity and air temperature, and make a correct and timely transplant. For experienced flower growers there is nothing supernatural about this. But beginners often face certain difficulties.
It’s easy to prepare tender chicken breast cutlets with champignons according to this recipe with step by step photos. There is an opinion that it is difficult to make juicy and tender cutlets from chicken breast, but this is not so! Chicken meat contains virtually no fat, which is why it is a bit dry. But, if you add cream, white bread and mushrooms with onions to the chicken fillet, it will turn out amazing delicious cutlets, which will appeal to both children and adults. IN mushroom season try adding wild mushrooms to the minced meat.
Optimizing plant nutrition and increasing the efficiency of fertilization are largely associated with ensuring an optimal ratio of macro- and microelements in the soil. Moreover, this is important not only for crop growth, but also for improving the quality of crop products. It should also be taken into account that new highly productive varieties have an intensive metabolism, requiring a full supply of all nutrients, including microelements.
The lack of microelements in the soil causes a decrease in the speed and consistency of the processes responsible for the development of the organism. Ultimately, the plants do not fully realize their potential and produce a low and not always high-quality harvest, and sometimes die.
The main role of microelements in increasing the quality and quantity of the crop is as follows:
1. In the presence of the required amount of microelements, plants have the opportunity to synthesize a full range of enzymes, allowing more intensive use of energy, water and nutrition (N, P, K), and, accordingly, obtain a higher yield.
2. Microelements and enzymes based on them enhance the regenerative activity of tissues and prevent plant diseases.
4. Most microelements are active catalysts that accelerate a number of biochemical reactions. The combined influence of microelements significantly enhances their catalytic properties. In some cases, only compositions of microelements can restore normal plant development.
Microelements have a great influence on biocolloids and influence the direction of biochemical processes.
According to the results of studies of the effectiveness of the use of microelements in agriculture clear conclusions can be drawn: .png)
1. A lack of assimilable forms of microelements in the soil leads to a decrease in crop yields and a deterioration in product quality. It is the cause of various diseases (heart rot and hollowness of beets, cork spotting of apples, empty grain of cereals, rosette disease of fruits and various chlorotic diseases).
2. The simultaneous intake of macro- and microelements is optimal, especially for phosphorus and zinc, nitrate nitrogen and molybdenum.
3. Throughout growing season plants need basic microelements, some of which are not recycled, i.e. are not reused in plants.
4. Microelements in biologically active form currently have no equal in foliar feeding, especially effective when used simultaneously with macronutrients.
5. Preventive doses of biologically active microelements, applied regardless of the soil composition, do not affect the total content of microelements in the soil, but have a beneficial effect on the condition of plants. When using them, the state of physiological depression in plants is eliminated, which leads to an increase in their resistance to various diseases, which will generally affect the increase in the quantity and quality of the crop.
6. It is especially necessary to note the positive effect of microelements on productivity, growth and development of plants, metabolism, provided they are introduced in strictly defined norms and at optimal times.
Agricultural crops have different needs for individual microelements. Agricultural plants according to their need for microelements are combined into the following groups (according to V.V. Tserling):
1. Plants with low removal of microelements and relatively high absorption capacity - cereals, corn, legumes, potatoes;
2. Plants with increased removal of microelements with low and medium absorption capacity - root crops (sugar, fodder, beets and carrots), vegetables, perennial herbs(legumes and cereals), sunflower;
3. Plants with high removal of microelements - agricultural crops grown under irrigation conditions against the background of high doses of mineral fertilizers.
Modern complex microfertilizers contain, in addition to a number of microelements, some meso- and macroelements. Let's consider the influence of individual macro-, meso- and microelements on agricultural plants.
Mesoelements
Magnesium
Magnesium is part of chlorophyll, phytin, pectin substances; found in plants and in mineral form. Chlorophyll contains 15-30% of all magnesium absorbed by plants. Magnesium plays an important physiological role in the process of photosynthesis and affects redox processes in plants. 
With a lack of magnesium, peroxidase activity increases, oxidation processes in plants intensify, and the content of ascorbic acid and invert sugar decreases. A lack of magnesium inhibits the synthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds, especially chlorophyll. An external sign of its deficiency is chlorosis of the leaves. Cereals have marbling and banding of leaves, dicotyledonous plants areas of the leaf between the veins turn yellow. Signs of magnesium starvation appear mainly on old leaves.
Magnesium deficiency manifests itself to a greater extent on sod-podzolic soils. acidic soils light granulometric composition.
Ammonia forms of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers impair the absorption of magnesium by plants, while nitrate forms, on the contrary, improve it.
Sulfur
Sulfur is part of all proteins, is found in amino acids, and plays an important role in the redox processes occurring in plants, in the activation of enzymes, and in protein metabolism. It promotes the fixation of nitrogen from the atmosphere, enhancing the formation of nodules leguminous plants. The source of plant nutrition for sulfur is sulfuric acid salts.
With a lack of sulfur, protein synthesis is delayed, since the synthesis of amino acids containing this element is difficult. In this regard, the manifestations of signs of sulfur deficiency are similar to the signs of nitrogen starvation. Plant development slows down, leaf size decreases, stems lengthen, leaves and petioles become woody. During sulfur starvation, the leaves do not die, although the color becomes pale.
In many cases, when applying sulfur-containing fertilizers, increases in the yield of grain crops are noted.
Macronutrients
Potassium
Potassium affects the physical Chemical properties biocolloids (promotes their swelling) located in the protoplasm and walls of plant cells, thereby increasing the hydrophilicity of colloids - the plant retains water better and tolerates short-term droughts more easily. Potassium increases the entire course of metabolism, increases the vital activity of the plant, improves the flow of water into cells, increases osmotic pressure and turgor, and reduces evaporation processes. Potassium is involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. Under its influence, the formation of sugars in the leaves and its movement to other parts of the plant increases.
With potassium deficiency, protein synthesis is delayed and non-protein nitrogen accumulates. Potassium stimulates the process of photosynthesis and enhances the outflow of carbohydrates from the leaf blade to other organs.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is part of such important organic substances as proteins, nucleic acids, nucleoproteins, chlorophyll, alkaloids, phosphates, etc.
Nucleic acids play a vital role in metabolism in plant organisms. Nitrogen is the most important component of chlorophyll, without which the process of photosynthesis cannot occur; is part of the enzymes that catalyze life processes in the plant organism.
In GLYCEROL preparations, nitrogen is in nitrate form. Nitrates are the best form of plant nutrition at a young age, when the leaf surface is small, as a result of which the photosynthesis process in plants is still weak and carbohydrates and organic acids are not formed in sufficient quantities.
Microelements
Iron
The structural features of the iron atom, typical of transition elements, determine the variable valence of this metal (Fe 2+ /Fe 3+) and a pronounced ability to form complexes. These chemical properties determine the main functions of iron in plants.
Iron participates in redox reactions in both heme and non-heme forms.
Iron in organic compounds is necessary for redox processes that occur during 
respiration and photosynthesis. This is explained by the very high degree of catalytic properties of these compounds. Inorganic compounds iron are also capable of catalyzing many biochemical reactions, and in combination with organic substances, the catalytic properties of iron increase many times.
The iron atom is oxidized and reduced relatively easily, which is why iron compounds are carriers of electrons in biochemical processes. These processes are carried out by enzymes containing iron. Iron also has a special function - its indispensable participation in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll. Therefore, any reason that limits the availability of iron for plants leads to severe diseases, in particular chlorosis.
With a lack of iron, plant leaves become light yellow, and when starved, they become completely white (chlorotic). Most often, chlorosis as a disease is characteristic of young leaves. With acute iron deficiency, plant death occurs. In trees and shrubs, the green color of the apical leaves disappears completely, they become almost white and gradually dry out. Iron deficiency for plants is most often observed on carbonate and poorly drained soils.
In most cases, microelements in a plant are not reutilized if there is a deficiency of any of them. It has been established that on saline soils, the use of microelements enhances the absorption of nutrients from the soil by plants, reduces the absorption of chlorine, while the accumulation of sugars and ascorbic acid increases, a slight increase in chlorophyll content is observed, and the productivity of photosynthesis increases.
Iron deficiency most often occurs on carbonate soils, as well as on soils with a high content of digestible phosphates, which is explained by the conversion of iron into inaccessible compounds.
Soddy-podzolic soils are characterized by an excess amount of iron.
Bor
Boron is necessary for the development of the meristem. Characteristic signs of boron deficiency are the death of growth points, shoots and roots, disturbances in the formation and development of reproductive organs, destruction of vascular tissue, etc. Lack of boron very often causes the destruction of young growing tissues.
Under the influence of boron, the synthesis and movement of carbohydrates, especially sucrose, from leaves to fruiting organs and roots are improved. It is known that monocotyledonous plants are less demanding of boron than dicotyledonous plants.
There is evidence in the literature that boron improves the movement of growth substances and ascorbic acid from leaves to fruiting organs. It promotes and better use calcium in metabolic processes in plants. Therefore, with a lack of boron, plants cannot normally use calcium, although the latter is found in sufficient quantities in the soil. It has been established that the amount of boron absorption and accumulation by plants increases with increasing potassium content in the soil.
A lack of boron leads not only to a decrease in crop yield, but also to a deterioration in its quality. It is known that many functional diseases cultivated plants caused by insufficient boron. For example, on calcareous sod-podzolic and sod-gley soils, flax bacteriosis is observed. In beets, chlorosis of the core leaves and root rot (dry rot) appear.
It should be noted that boron is necessary for plants throughout the growing season. The exclusion of boron from the nutrient medium at any phase of plant growth leads to its disease. 
Many studies have found that flowers are the richest in boron compared to other parts of plants. It plays an essential role in fertilization processes. If it is excluded from the nutrient medium, plant pollen germinates poorly or even not at all. In these cases, the addition of boron promotes better germination of pollen, eliminates the abscission of ovaries and enhances the development of reproductive organs.
Boron plays an important role in cell division and protein synthesis and is an essential component of the cell membrane. Boron plays an extremely important function in carbohydrate metabolism. Its deficiency in the nutrient medium causes the accumulation of sugars in plant leaves. This phenomenon is observed in those most responsive to boron fertilizers crops
With a lack of boron in the nutrient medium, there is also a violation anatomical structure plants, such as poor xylem development, fragmentation of the phloem of the main parenchyma and degeneration of the cambium. Root system develops poorly, since boron plays a significant role in its development. Sugar beets are especially in need of boron.
Boron is also important for the development of nodules on the roots of legumes. If there is insufficiency or absence of boron in the nutrient medium, the nodules develop poorly or do not develop at all.
Copper
The role of copper in plant life is very specific: copper cannot be replaced by any other element or their sum.
A sign of copper deficiency in plants appears as “handling disease.” In cereals, symptoms appear as 
whitening and drying of the tops of young leaves. The whole plant becomes light green in color and heading is delayed. With severe copper starvation, the stems dry out. Such plants do not produce a harvest at all, or the harvest is very low and of poor quality. Sometimes, during severe copper starvation, the plants bush abundantly and often continue to form new shoots after the tops have completely dried out. Strong and extended tillering of barley during copper starvation favors its damage by the Swedish fly.
Different crops have different sensitivities to copper deficiency. Plants can be ranked in the following order in order of decreasing responsiveness to copper: wheat, barley, oats, corn, carrots, beets, onions, spinach, alfalfa and White cabbage. Potatoes, tomatoes, red clover, beans, and soy are characterized by average responsiveness. Varietal features plants within the same species are of great importance and significantly influence the degree of manifestation of symptoms of copper deficiency.
Copper deficiency often coincides with zinc deficiency, and in sandy soils also with magnesium deficiency. The application of high doses of nitrogen fertilizers increases the need of plants for copper and contributes to the exacerbation of symptoms of copper deficiency. This indicates that copper plays an important role in nitrogen metabolism.
Copper is involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism in plants. Under the influence of copper, both peroxidase activity and the synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates and fats increase. A lack of copper causes a decrease in the activity of synthetic processes in plants and leads to the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates, amino acids and other breakdown products of complex organic substances.
When feeding on nitrates, copper deficiency inhibits the formation of early products of their reduction and initially does not affect the enrichment of amino acids, amides, proteins, peptones and polypeptides with nitrogen. Subsequently, a strong inhibition of the enrichment of 15 N in all fractions of organic nitrogen is observed, and it is especially significant in amides. When fed with ammonia nitrogen, the lack of copper delays the incorporation of heavy nitrogen into protein, peptones and peptides already in the first hours after applying nitrogen fertilizing. This indicates a particularly important role for copper in the use of ammonia nitrogen.
In corn, copper increases the content of soluble sugars, ascorbic acid and, in most cases, chlorophyll, enhancing the activity of the copper-containing enzyme polyphenoloxidase and reducing the activity of peroxidase in corn leaves. It also increases the protein nitrogen content in the leaves of ripening corn.
Copper plays an important role in photosynthesis processes. With its deficiency, the destruction of chlorophyll occurs much faster than with normal level nutrition of plants with copper.
Thus, copper affects the formation of chlorophyll and prevents its destruction.
In general, it should be said that the physiological and biochemical role of copper is diverse. Copper affects not only the carbohydrate and protein metabolism of plants, but also increases the intensity of respiration. The participation of copper in redox reactions is especially important. In plant cells, these reactions occur with the participation of enzymes that contain copper. Therefore, copper is an integral part of a number of important oxidative enzymes - polyphenol oxidase, ascorbate oxidase, lactase, dehydrogenase, etc. All of these enzymes carry out oxidation reactions by transferring electrons from the substrate to molecular oxygen, which is an electron acceptor. In connection with this function, the valence of copper in redox reactions changes (from divalent to monovalent state and back).
A characteristic feature of the action of copper is that this trace element increases the resistance of plants against fungal and bacterial diseases. Copper reduces diseases of grain crops by various types of smut and increases the resistance of tomatoes to brown spot.
Zinc
All cultivated plants in relation to zinc are divided into 3 groups: very sensitive, moderately sensitive and insensitive. The group of very sensitive crops includes corn, flax, hops, grapes, fruits; moderately sensitive are soybeans, beans, forage legumes, peas, sugar beets, sunflowers, clover, onions, potatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, berries; mildly sensitive - oats, wheat, barley, rye, carrots, rice, alfalfa.
Zinc deficiency for plants is most often observed in sandy and carbonate soils. There is little available zinc in peatlands, as well as in some marginal soils.
Zinc deficiency usually causes stunted plant growth and a decrease in the amount of chlorophyll in leaves. Signs of zinc deficiency are most common in corn.
Zinc deficiency has a stronger effect on the formation of seeds than on the development of vegetative organs. Symptoms of zinc deficiency are common in various fruit crops(apple tree, cherry, apricot, lemon, grapes). Citrus crops are particularly affected by zinc deficiency.
The physiological role of zinc in plants is very diverse. It has a great influence on redox processes, the speed of which is noticeably reduced when it is deficient. Zinc deficiency leads to disruption of carbohydrate conversion processes. It has been established that with a lack of zinc, phenolic compounds, phytosterols or lecithins accumulate in the leaves and roots of tomato, citrus fruits and other crops. Some authors consider these compounds as products of incomplete oxidation of carbohydrates and proteins and see this as a violation of redox processes in the cell. With a lack of zinc, reducing sugars accumulate in tomato and citrus plants and the starch content decreases. There is evidence that zinc deficiency is more pronounced in plants rich in carbohydrates.
Zinc is involved in the activation of a number of enzymes associated with the respiration process. The first enzyme in which zinc was discovered was carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic anhydrase contains 0.33-0.34% zinc. It determines the different intensity of the processes of respiration and CO 2 release by animal organisms. The activity of carbonic anhydrase in plants is much weaker than in animals.
Zinc is also included in other enzymes - triosephosphate dehydrogenase, peroxidase, catalase, oxidase, polyphenol oxidase, etc.
It was found that large doses of phosphorus and nitrogen increase signs of zinc deficiency in plants. In experiments with flax and .png)
other crops have found that zinc fertilizers are especially necessary when applying high doses of phosphorus.
Many researchers have proven the connection between the supply of zinc to plants and the formation and content of auxins in them. Zinc starvation is caused by the absence of active auxin in plant stems and its reduced activity in leaves.
The importance of zinc for plant growth is closely related to its participation in nitrogen metabolism
The importance of zinc for plant growth is closely related to its participation in nitrogen metabolism. Zinc deficiency leads to a significant accumulation of soluble nitrogen compounds - amides and amino acids, which disrupts protein synthesis. Many studies have confirmed that the protein content in plants with a lack of zinc decreases.
Under the influence of zinc, the synthesis of sucrose, starch, and the total content of carbohydrates and proteins increases. The use of zinc fertilizers increases the content of ascorbic acid, dry matter and chlorophyll in corn leaves. Zinc fertilizers increase the drought, heat and cold resistance of plants.
Manganese
Manganese deficiency in plants worsens at low temperatures and high humidity. Apparently, in this regard, winter grains are most sensitive to its deficiency in early spring. With a lack of manganese, excess iron accumulates in plants, which causes chlorosis. Excess manganese delays the flow of iron into the plant, which also results in chlorosis, but this time from a lack of iron. The accumulation of manganese in concentrations toxic to plants is observed on acidic soddy-podzolic soils. The toxicity of manganese is eliminated by molybdenum.
According to numerous studies, the presence of antagonism between manganese and calcium, manganese and cobalt has been revealed; There is no antagonism between manganese and potassium.
On sandy soils, nitrates and sulfates reduce the mobility of manganese, but sulfates and chlorides do not have a noticeable effect. .jpg)
render. When liming soils, manganese transforms into forms that are inaccessible to plants. Therefore, by liming it is possible to eliminate the toxic effect of this element on some podzolic (acidic) soils of the non-chernozemic zone.
The share of manganese in the primary products of photosynthesis is 0.01–0.03%. An increase in the intensity of photosynthesis under the influence of manganese, in turn, has an effect on other life processes of plants: the content of sugars and chlorophyll in plants increases and the intensity of respiration and fruiting of plants increases.
The role of manganese in plant metabolism is similar to the functions of magnesium and iron. Manganese activates numerous enzymes, especially when phosphorylated. Due to its ability to transfer electrons by changing valence, it participates in various redox reactions. In the light reaction of photosynthesis, it participates in the splitting of water molecules.
Since manganese activates enzymes in the plant, its deficiency affects many metabolic processes, in particular the synthesis of carbohydrates and proteins.
Signs of manganese deficiency in plants are most often observed on carbonate, heavily limed, as well as on some peaty and other soils with a pH above 6.5.
Manganese deficiency becomes noticeable first on young leaves over light green coloring or discoloration (chlorosis). In contrast to glandular chlorosis, in monocots, gray, gray-green or brown, gradually merging spots appear in the lower part of the leaf blade, often with a darker border. The signs of manganese starvation in dicotyledons are the same as with iron deficiency, only the green veins usually do not stand out so sharply on yellowed tissues. In addition, brown necrotic spots appear very soon. Leaves die even faster than with iron deficiency.
Manganese is involved not only in photosynthesis, but also in the synthesis of vitamin C. With a lack of manganese, the synthesis of organic substances decreases, the chlorophyll content in plants decreases, and they develop chlorosis. External symptoms of manganese starvation: gray leaf spot in cereals; chlorosis in sugar beets, legumes, tobacco and cotton; In fruit and berry plantings, a lack of manganese causes yellowing of the edges of leaves and drying out of young branches.
Manganese deficiency in plants worsens at low temperatures and high humidity. In this regard, winter crops are most sensitive to its deficiency in early spring. With a lack of manganese, excess iron accumulates in plants, which causes chlorosis. Excess manganese delays the flow of iron into the plant, which also results in chlorosis, but this time from a lack of iron. The accumulation of manganese in concentrations toxic to plants is observed on acidic soddy-podzolic soils. The toxicity of manganese is eliminated by molybdenum.
On sandy soils, nitrates and sulfates reduce the mobility of manganese, but sulfates and chlorides do not have a noticeable effect. When liming soils, manganese transforms into forms that are inaccessible to plants. Therefore, by liming it is possible to eliminate the toxic effect of this element on some podzolic (acidic) soils of the non-chernozemic zone.
An increase in the intensity of photosynthesis under the influence of manganese, in turn, has an effect on other life processes of plants: the content of sugars and chlorophyll in plants increases and the intensity of respiration and fruiting of plants increases.
Silicon
For most higher plants Silicon (Si) is a useful chemical element. It helps to increase the mechanical strength of leaves and plant resistance to fungal diseases. In the presence of silicon, plants better tolerate unfavorable conditions: moisture deficiency, imbalance of nutrients, toxicity of heavy metals, soil salinization, and extreme temperatures.
According to researchers, the use of silicon increases the resistance of plants to moisture deficiency. Plants can absorb silicon through leaves when foliar feeding with microfertilizers. In plants, silicon is deposited mainly in epidermal cells, forming a double cuticular-silicon layer (primarily on leaves and roots), as well as xylem cells. Its excess is transformed into different kinds phytoliths.
Thickening of the walls of epidermal cells due to the accumulation of silicic acid in them and the formation of a silicon-cellulose membrane contributes to more economical consumption of moisture. When monosilicic acids absorbed by the plant are polymerized, water is released, which is used by the plants. On the other hand, the positive effect of silicon on the development of the root system and an increase in its biomass helps to improve water absorption by the plant. This contributes to the provision of plant tissues with water under conditions of water deficiency, which in turn affects the physiological and biochemical processes occurring in them.
The direction and intensity of these processes is largely determined by the balance of endogenous phytohormones, which are one of the leading factors in the regulation of plant growth and development.
Many effects caused by silicon are explained by its modifying effect on the sorption properties of cells (cell walls), where it can accumulate in the form of amorphous silica and bind with various organic compounds: lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, organic acids, lignin, polysaccharides. An increase in the sorption of manganese by cell walls and, as a consequence, plant resistance to its excess in the environment was recorded in the presence of silicon. A similar mechanism underlies the positive effect of silicon on plants under conditions of excess aluminum ions, which is eliminated by the formation of Al-Si complexes. In the form of silicates, it is possible to immobilize excess zinc ions in the cytoplasm of a plant cell, which was established using the example of zinc that is resistant to elevated concentrations. In the presence of silicon it is weakened negative impact on cadmium plants due to limited transport of the latter into shoots. In saline soil conditions, silicon can prevent the accumulation of sodium in shoots.
Obviously, when there is an excess content of many chemical elements in the environment, silicon is beneficial for plants. Its connections 
are capable of adsorbing ions of toxic elements, limiting their mobility both in the environment and in plant tissues. The effect of silicon on plants with a lack of chemical elements, especially those needed in small quantities, for example, microelements, has not yet been studied.
In the conducted studies, it was established that the effect of silicon on the concentration of pigments (chlorophyll a, b carotenoids) in leaves appears with a lack of iron and is dual in its direction. Evidence of inhibition in the presence of silicon of the development of chlorosis has been revealed, which is observed exclusively in young dicotyledonous plants.
According to research results, cells of Si-treated plants are able to bind iron with a strength sufficient to limit its movement throughout the plant.
Silicon compounds increase the economically valuable part of the crop with a tendency to reduce straw biomass. At the beginning of the growing season, in the tillering phase, the influence of silicon on the growth of vegetative mass is significant and averages 14-26%.
Treatment of seeds with silicon compounds has a great influence on the phosphorus content of the grain and increases the weight of 1000 grains.
Sodium
Sodium is one of the potential-forming elements necessary to maintain specific electrochemical .jpg)
potentials and osmotic functions of the cell. Sodium ion ensures optimal conformation of enzyme proteins (enzyme activation), forms bridging bonds, balancing anions, controls membrane permeability and electrical potentials.
Nonspecific functions of sodium are associated with the regulation of osmotic potential.
Sodium deficiency occurs only in sodium-loving plants, such as sugar beets, chard and turnips. A lack of sodium in these plants leads to chlorosis and necrosis, the leaves of the plants become dark green and dull, quickly wither during drought and grow in a horizontal direction, brown spots in the form of burns may appear on the edges of the leaves.
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Methods of application and doses of microelements for feeding vegetables
We have all heard about the role of fertilizers in plant life, but for some reason only macroelements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium are accepted as such, while microelements remain beyond the threshold of attention. Let's broaden our horizons and look at the “set” of batteries in more detail.
Most microelements (boron, molybdenum, manganese, copper, zinc, etc.) are part of enzymes and help increase the activity of biochemical processes occurring in plants. The effect of microelements is very diverse: they protect plants from diseases, enhance the processes of fertilization, fruit formation and absorption of nutrients, and participate in the movement of carbohydrates. Let's look at the main microelements in more detail.
Bor
Plays a large and diverse role in biochemical and physiological processes in the plant. With a lack of boron, the transport of carbohydrates from leaves and other parts of plants to the reproductive organs is difficult, as a result, flowers fall off, the apical point of growth withers, and the seeds that set turn out to be puny. Boron starvation reduces disease resistance (heart rot develops in cauliflower, beets, and fruit crops).
A sign of boron deficiency is that young leaves lose their green color, become coarser, then darken and die. In tomatoes, cauliflower, cucumbers and other vegetable plants, a lack of boron causes curling and coarsening of young leaves, the death of growing points, and the falling of flowers and ovaries.
Boron fertilizers are most effective on neutral sod-podzolic soils. Boric superphosphate contains from 0.2 to 0.4% boron, boric acid (17%) is also used - dry powder white, highly soluble in water.
Molybdenum
Part of the enzyme nitrate reductase, which is involved in the reduction of nitrate nitrogen. This trace element also promotes the fixation of molecular nitrogen. In addition, it improves the calcium nutrition conditions of legumes and other plants. With a lack of molybdenum cauliflower acquires a yellow-blue or yellow-green color and becomes very coarse. Leaf blades grow together into cuttings. In leguminous plants without molybdenum, growth slows down and leaves appear light green in color.
Of the molybdenum fertilizers, ammonium molybdate acid (52% Mo) is used.
Manganese
Takes part in redox processes and interacts with iron in enzyme systems. With the participation of manganese, which accumulates in the plant, ferrous forms of iron turn into oxide forms, which eliminates their toxicity. Manganese is involved in the synthesis of vitamins (especially C), enhances the accumulation of sugar in root vegetables and proteins in grain crops. Manganese deficiency is observed on neutral and alkaline soils.
Manganese fertilizers should not be used on soddy-podzolic soils, as well as on strongly acidic soils, where this element can even have a toxic effect on individual crops. However, on carbonate and excessively limed soils they have a positive effect. Manganese fertilizers are used in the form of manganese superphosphate (2-3%) and manganese sulfate (21-22%).
Copper
The role of copper in plants is primarily associated with oxidative processes. It is part of such important enzymes as polynoxidases, ascorbine oxedases, etc. Copper has a stabilizing effect on chlorophyll, which enhances photosynthesis. Copper affects carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
With a lack of copper, plants develop chlorosis of the leaves, their tips turn white, and in lettuce, spinach, peas and beets, a yellow-gray stripe forms along the edges of the leaves. The ends of the leaves begin to dry out and dry out.
Copper fertilizers are most often used on peat-bog soils. The most widely used is granulated potassium chloride with copper (1%). Also applies copper sulfate(24%) – blue powder, which is soluble in hot water.
Zinc
It is part of a number of enzymes and enhances their activity. Lack of zinc disrupts lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Plants contain less sucrose and starch and more reducing sugars.
Zinc has a great impact on the rate of oxidative processes in plants, fertilization and embryo development, has a positive effect on the content of vitamins C and P, and stimulates the formation of growth substances (auxins) in plants. Corn and fruit crops respond especially well to zinc.
With a lack of zinc, the content of organophosphorus compounds also decreases and the process of chlorophyll formation slows down, resulting in spotted chlorosis and jaundice. Increased sensitivity to zinc deficiency has been observed in corn, soybeans, beans and other crops.
Zinc fertilizers are represented mainly by zinc sulfate (23%). They are used on sandy, sandy loam and other light soils.
Methods of application
The lack of microelements, which are necessary for normal growth and development of plants, in practice is usually compensated for by wetting seed material in solutions containing these elements.
Methods of application and doses of microelements (g/l) are given in the table.
Microfertilizers | Seed treatment before sowing | Foliar feeding | Application to the soil |
Zinc sulfate | |||
Boric acid | 0,05 |
||
Copper sulfate | 0,05 | 0,03 |
|
Ammonium molybdate | 0,03 |
Note: predecessors of garden crops
When making plans for the upcoming sowing and planting in the garden, it is necessary to take into account crop rotation - a scientifically based alternation of crops in space and time. Compliance with this rule will help to avoid many troubles, which are primarily associated with the accumulation of pathogens, weed seeds and pests in the soil. The table below will help you with the correct alternation of plants.
Previous culture | What is good to sow, plant |
Onions, cabbage, cucumbers, root vegetables | Green vegetables and herbs |
Potatoes, onions, tomatoes, legumes, carrots, beets | Cabbage |
Tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, legumes, cabbage | Bulb onions |
Greens, potatoes, cabbage, legumes, tomatoes | Carrot |
Cabbage, legumes, beets, turnips, tomatoes | cucumbers |
Zucchini, pumpkin, cabbage, squash, onions, legumes, beets, carrots | Potato |
Cabbage, cucumbers, legumes, tomatoes | Garlic |
Cucumbers, pumpkin, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cabbage | Beet |
Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, carrots, legumes, potatoes | Radishes, turnips, turnips, rutabaga |
Cabbage, tomatoes, beets, carrots | Legumes |
Cereals, garlic, carrots, greens, onions, beets | Strawberry |
Cucumbers, radishes, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, beets | Greens and nightshade vegetables |
Cabbage, beets, carrots, potatoes, grains | Pumpkin, squash, zucchini |
Before you start plowing or digging up your garden, take an hour of extra time and remove the garbage and, most importantly, plant debris from the area. If you don’t do this, you will simply plow into the ground ready-made breeding grounds for many diseases and pests. And simple cleaning will get rid of many problems in the future.
General informationOn a note
From mineral fertilizers Special attention During storage, it is necessary to pay attention to nitrate - ammonium and potassium nitrate. These types of fertilizers, in addition to being very hygroscopic, are also heat and explosive. Do not mix them with flammable materials such as straw, sawdust, peat, rags. Otherwise, as a result of self-heating of fertilizers, ignition and fire can occur.
Compiled based on materials from Russian and foreign scientific articles, monographs and conferences. Atlas prof. Bergman: “Nutrition disorders of cultivated plants in color images.” Under the general editorship. Prof., Doctor of Agronomic Sciences Werner Bergman. - Jena, 1976 Link to the original source: http://www.landart.ru/03-uhod/c-bergman/03c000.htm
External signs of a lack of certain nutrients in plants vary. Therefore, by external signs one can judge the lack of a particular nutrient and the need of plants for fertilizers. However, slower growth and changes in the appearance of plants are not always caused by a lack of nutrients. Similar changes are sometimes caused unfavorable conditions growth (insufficient lighting, low temperature, etc.). It is important to be able to distinguish these changes in plant appearance from changes caused by nutrient deficiencies.
On appearance plants are also influenced by excess amounts of certain elements, not needed by the plant or what he needs in small quantities. When they enter excessively into plants, growth slows down, tissues die, various external changes are observed, and sometimes the death of plants.
Symptoms of deficiency of different nutrients in the same plant usually do not appear simultaneously, which greatly simplifies the problem of diagnosis and subsequent improvement of plant nutrition. When there is a deficiency of several elements, the symptoms of the deficiency of the element whose action is dominant are the first to appear and disappear as a result of the application of appropriate fertilizers; then symptoms of deficiency of another element appear, and so on.
Comparison of symptoms
A common symptom of a deficiency of any of the nutrients is stunted plant growth, although this symptom may be more pronounced in one case than in another. Below is a comparison of deficiency symptoms other than stunting mineral nutrition.
Symptoms of plant mineral deficiency can be divided into two large groups:
I. The first group consists mainly of symptoms that appear on the old leaves of the plant. These include symptoms of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium deficiency. Obviously, if there is a shortage of these elements, they move in the plant from older parts to young growing parts, which do not develop signs of starvation.
II. The second group consists of symptoms that appear on growing points and young leaves. Symptoms of this group are characteristic of a lack of calcium, boron, sulfur, iron, copper and manganese. These elements do not appear to be able to move from one part of the plant to another. Consequently, if there is not a sufficient amount of the listed elements in the water and soil, then the young growing parts do not receive the necessary nutrition, as a result of which they get sick and die.
When starting to determine the cause of plant nutritional disorders, you should first of all pay attention to in which part of the plant anomalies appear, thus determining the group of symptoms. Symptoms of the first group, which are found mainly on old leaves, can be divided into two subgroups:
1) more or less general, affecting the entire leaf (lack of nitrogen and phosphorus);
2) or be only local in nature (lack of magnesium and potassium).
The second group of symptoms that appear on young leaves or growth points of the plant can be divided into three subgroups, which are characterized by:
1) the appearance of chlorosis, or loss of green color by young leaves without subsequent death of the apical bud, which indicates a lack of iron, sulfur or manganese;
2) death of the apical bud, accompanied by the loss of its green color by the leaves, which indicates a lack of calcium or boron;
3) constant wilting of the upper leaves, which indicates a lack of copper.
Below are described the symptoms that appear due to a lack of minerals, for each element separately.
Nitrogen (N)
Old leaves turn brownish-yellow and slowly die off, “dissolving” in the water. With a lack of nitrogen, lightening and yellowing of the color begins with the veins and the adjacent part of the leaf blade; parts of the leaf removed from the veins may still retain a light green color. As a rule, there are no green veins on a leaf that has turned yellow from a lack of nitrogen.
Phosphorus (P)
The color of older leaves becomes dark green. With a severe lack of phosphorus, brown or reddish-brown spots appear on the leaves, gradually turning into holes.
Potassium (K)
There is yellowing, and subsequently browning and dying of the tips and edges of the leaves. Developing brown spot especially closer to the edges. The edges of the leaves curl and wrinkles are observed. The veins appear to be embedded in the leaf tissue. Signs of deficiency in most plants appear first on the older lower leaves.
Signs of potassium deficiency
Calcium (Ca)
Signs of deficiency appear primarily on young leaves. The leaves are chlorotic, curved, their edges curl upward. The edges of the leaves are irregular in shape and may show brown scorching. Damage and death of the apical buds is observed.
Magnesium (Mg)
White or pale yellow spots appear between the veins. At the same time, large veins and adjacent areas of the leaf remain green. The leaf tips and edges curl, causing the leaves to become domed, the edges of the leaves to wrinkle and gradually die. Signs of deficiency appear and spread from lower leaves to the top ones.
Bor (V)
The sensitivity of plants to boron deficiency varies greatly. With a lack of boron, the growing points of plants turn black and die. Young leaves are small, pale, severely deformed.
Signs of boron deficiency
Copper (Cu)
Pale color and stunted growth of young leaves. Long-stemmed plants bush (grow lateral shoots).
Iron (Fe)
With a lack of iron, uniform chlorosis is observed between the leaf veins. The color of the upper leaves becomes pale green or yellow, white areas appear between the veins, and the entire leaf may subsequently turn white. Signs of iron deficiency appear primarily on young leaves.
Manganese (Mn)
With a lack of manganese, chlorosis is observed between the veins of the leaf - yellowish-green or yellowish spots appear between the veins on the upper leaves. brown spots, the veins remain green, giving the leaf a variegated appearance. Subsequently, areas of chlorotic tissue die, and spots of various shapes and colors appear. Signs of deficiency appear primarily on young leaves and primarily at the base of the leaves, rather than at the tips as with potassium deficiency.
Sulfur (S)
A lack of sulfur is manifested in slow growth of stems in thickness, in a pale green color of leaves without tissue death. Signs of sulfur deficiency are similar to signs of nitrogen deficiency; they appear primarily on young plants.
NITROGEN
Of the main nutrients for grapes, nitrogen is most often at a minimum, but rarely to such an extent that obvious signs of disease appear. Nitrogen is the most important structural element of protein compounds and plasma components, essential for the formation of new cells. Therefore, grapes respond to a lack of nitrogen by weakening growth, producing thin wood with short internodes and small grape berries. The leaves also do not reach normal size and become more or less light instead of dark green. At the same time, the petioles often turn red due to the formation of anthocyanin. In contrast to chlorosis, the youngest leaves with a lack of nitrogen remain green for a long time, and the oldest leaves turn yellow first.
Of the microelements, the grape bush lacks mainly boron. It is essential for cell formation and fertilization.
The picture of the disease as a result of boron deficiency is very characteristic: in the spring the bushes begin to grow even with a strong boron deficiency with normal green leaf color. However, soon the growth of the shoots weakens, and the color of the leaves becomes mosaically lightened. While parts of the leaves near the main veins remain green, the rest of the surface becomes discolored, turns brown, and entire sections die off. Leaves that are more or less discolored often have edges that curl downward, giving them a arched shape. In the shoots of grape bushes suffering from boron deficiency, the nodes are often distributed irregularly or close together, and sometimes two internodes fall out, so that three nodes sit close to each other. Often the tops of the shoots die off by the end of June or later. The tops of the stepsons also die off very often. With a severe lack of boron, usually no inflorescences are formed or only a few, which by the time of flowering turn brown and fall off completely.
With a milder boron deficiency, grape growth is correspondingly less inhibited. Severe lightening and discoloration of chlorophyll are observed only on a few leaves. The flowers, however, mostly fall off, and, in addition to individual berries of normal size, seedless berries are produced, slightly larger than the head of a pin. In the mildest cases of boron deficiency, it appears as a marbled dark and light green coloration of more or less many leaves.
lack of boron in grapes 2According to foreign data, a lack of boron on some soils manifests itself in the browning of the pulp of the berries, a sign corresponding to the formation of the inner cortical layer in apples.
Typically, boron deficiency is more severe in dry years than in wet years. This is explained by the fact that the boron content in the dried arable layer is higher than in deeper layers. Grapes often suffer from a lack of boron on soils with a high lime content, where boron is firmly fixed, especially in dry years, and is inaccessible to the roots. In acidic soils, boron is sometimes completely absent due to leaching.
To eliminate the lack of boron, borax is added to the soil, preferably in the form of granules at a rate of 5-7.5 kg/ha. In this case, care should be taken to distribute the borax evenly. Too much boron in the soil causes severe damage to plants. If a slight deficiency of boron is detected, then it is sufficient to use boron-containing fertilizers, such as boron superphosphate or others with the appropriate addition of boron. If boron deficiency is suspected, a soil test should be performed. The presence of 1-3 mg of boron per 1 kg of soil indicates a good supply of boron, but if the boron content is less than 0.5 mg per 1 kg of soil, its deficiency should be considered. If the boron content is more than 3 mg/kg of soil, you should refuse to apply on-board fertilizers, because this can damage the grape bushes, especially on acidic soils.
POTASSIUM
In contrast to nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium in grape plants is not bound in strong compounds. Potassium deficiency has less effect on the growth of grape bushes than in a decrease in physiological productivity. Potassium promotes water absorption and regulates water loss. For potassium deficiency water balance things turn out unfavorably, and water is wasted uselessly. Drought and frost resistance of grapes with a lack of potassium are reduced, and susceptibility to fungal diseases increases. In addition, a lack of potassium can lead to increased sunburn on grapes, because the resulting tissue photosensitivity also occurs in the berries, and this leads to necrosis.
With acute potassium deficiency, obvious signs of the disease appear. First, the surface of the lowest leaves is painted blue-violet color. In July-August, the leaves turn brown-violet, then turn brown and die; the negative effect on the growth of the grape bush, the size of its leaves and the development of grape bunches is not yet very noticeable.
With a continuing lack of potassium, the leaves change color just before flowering, and soon after that only the youngest leaves remain uncolored. Sometimes the upper leaves look like varnished on the upper side. Dieback occurs faster and begins earlier. In July or August, the leaves near the clusters often dry out almost entirely. The entire grape bush is now visibly damaged. The leaves become smaller, wood growth weakens, and the clusters lag behind both in size and in ripening time. The third phase of severe potassium deficiency is expressed in suppressed growth of bushes and, ultimately, leads to the death of the bush. The grape shoots are shortened and remain thin with short internodes. Usually in spring only rare buds develop on the sleeves and, often, the entire sleeve does not form any more shoots. Berry set is minimal and the ovaries usually die after flowering. The leaves are small and light rather than dark green. Less commonly, a dark blue-violet color appears. The leaves die after turning brown starting at the edges. Along with this, necrosis is often observed between the veins. Depending on the type of soil and the severity of the disease, abundant potassium fertilizer leads to complete recovery of the grape bush within 1-2 years. Soils with higher lime content contribute to potassium deficiency in dry years.
Some experience is required to recognize signs of nutrient deficiencies based on the external signs of the grape bushes, as they can vary depending on the circumstances. First one or the other sign becomes more noticeable.
If the soil contains too little lime, it is lacking less as a nutrient for the grapes and more as a structural component of the soil. What grapes require as nutrients is usually found in any soil. A lack of lime in the soil leads to stronger acidification of the soil with its harmful consequences for the structure and life of soil organisms.
MAGNESIUM
According to new data, magnesium deficiency is quite widespread. Light, acidic soils often contain only traces of magnesium. The lack of magnesium in grapes is expressed mainly in discoloration of the edges of leaves and tissues between the veins. Chlorophyll decomposition usually begins at the end of June, sometimes earlier or later, from the lower leaves and gradually affects the leaves located above. In red grape varieties, the areas of leaves between the veins are painted red, and, like in white varieties, a more or less narrow border along the veins remains green. With a severe lack of magnesium, which is common on acidic soils, necrosis is sometimes also observed on individual leaves, usually located in a ring near the edges of the leaf. To eliminate magnesium deficiency, increased application of mineral fertilizers containing magnesium is necessary. Instead of pure potassium salts, potassium magnesium should be added in an amount of 6-8 g/m2. On acidic soils, it is best to use burnt dolomitized limestone for liming. Thomasphosphate, kamaphos and many complete mineral fertilizers also contain magnesium in a plant-available form.
PHOSPHORUS
Also, with a lack of phosphorus, the growth of the grape bush weakens, thin, weak wood and small leaves are formed (in the figure, two shoots on the left are normal, two on the right are a lack of phosphorus). However, in contrast to the lack of nitrogen, the leaves remain dark green. Phosphorus is part of plasma substances, and is especially abundant in the cell nucleus. With a lack of phosphorus, primarily the yield and size of the bunches decrease. With a severe lack of phosphorus, the veins and petioles of the leaves turn red due to the strong formation of anthocyanin. Grapes suffer from phosphorus deficiency mainly on very acidic soils. The picture of the disease - spotty browning on the edges of the leaves and their drying out - is, according to our data, the result of a too acidic soil reaction. It is associated with a lack of phosphorus in the sense that phosphorus in very acidic soils is largely fixed and inaccessible to grape roots. Therefore, in such cases, in addition to enhanced fertilization with phosphates, it is first of all necessary to apply lime in abundance, best in the form of dolomitized lime.
ZINC
Zinc affects the nitrogen and enzymatic metabolism of the grape bush. With a lack of zinc, shoot growth is weakened or delayed. The brittle leaves with spots between the veins remain small, asymmetrical, sharp-toothed with a metallic sheen. The clusters are loose with small berries. The deficiency is mostly caused by excessive fertilization with phosphates. Spraying grape leaves with zinc sulfate can alleviate the deficiency.
Root soil nutrition
The role of the root from the point of view of nutritional physiology is to absorb water and mineral elements from the soil, partial or complete processing of incoming ions into various organic compounds, synthesis of physiologically active substances, without which normal growth and development of above-ground organs and their transportation to above-ground plant organs does not occur. .
Each type of plant requires a certain ratio of nutrients, which changes during the growing season. Nutrients enter plants most vigorously during active growth. In earlier phases of development, plants need increased nitrogen nutrition to create an assimilating surface (leaves). To create reproductive organs, increased phosphorus-potassium nutrition is necessary against the background of moderate nitrogen nutrition.
Some nutrients can enter plants through leaves. This does not replace root nutrition, but has a very positive effect on the size and quality of the crop.
The most important elements necessary for plant life are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and sulfur. Plants need manganese, boron, molybdenum and some other elements, but in much smaller quantities. Because of this, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are called macroelements, and all others are called microelements. Microelements are contained in the soil, supplied to plants along with macrofertilizers, or they are added additionally, most often using foliar fertilizing.
Determining signs of deficiency or excess of mineral nutrition elements depends on the possibility of their reuse (reutilization) in the plant organism. Since calcium, sulfur, iron, manganese, boron, copper and zinc are not recycled, visual signs of their deficiency are first detected on younger plant organs, including leaves. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in plants can be used many times, so external signs their deficiencies primarily appear on older leaves and other plant organs.
Minerals and their use for indoor plants
Minerals are essential for the growth and development of indoor plants. Their deficiency can cause weakening of the plant, decreased resistance to diseases and pests, and can negatively affect their fruiting. But, you should also remember that excess minerals can also harm your plant. Always follow mineral application instructions and watch out for signs of mineral deficiency in your plants.
Signs of mineral deficiency:
- slow growth; low resistance to diseases and pests;
- pale leaves. Can appear yellow spots;
- flowers are not formed, or they are small and pale-colored;
- weak stems, premature falling of lower leaves.
Signs of excess minerals:
- drooping leaves;
- summer: growth cessation;
- winter: weak elongated stems;
- white crust on the surface of the soil and on the outside of the ceramic pot in areas with soft water;
- dry brown spots; dry edges of leaves.
Nitrogen (N). Especially necessary for leaves.
Phosphates (PA). Especially necessary for roots.
Potassium (K). Especially necessary for flowers.
Microelements (Mn, Md, Fe, Mo, S, B, Zn, Cu). Present in some fertilizers for house plants obtained by extracting humus, or such fertilizers are made up of chemicals.
Tips for using mineral fertilizers
If you treated the plant with a pest control agent, after 3 days apply a very weak concentration of fertilizer. Then feed the plant regularly according to its needs. It will recover faster.
Depending on the type of fertilizer you use, you should take the following precautions. Liquid fertilizers are always applied to a moist substrate so that the roots do not begin to intensively absorb mineral salts.
It is best, regardless of the type of fertilizer, to dilute 1 capful of fertilizer in a large watering can (minimum 5 liters) and use this nutrient solution with each watering, if the interval between waterings is 3 days or more, and with every second watering in very hot weather. weather.
If you follow these instructions, the plants will be nourished gently without the risk of getting burned. They will develop evenly, which will ultimately give the best result.
If you are using a container with a water reservoir, then the fertilizer is applied directly to the reservoir, but in half the concentration to avoid an overdose. Granular fertilizers should be evenly distributed over the surface of the substrate, remembering that the dose indicated on the package is the maximum.
PLANT NUTRITION, FERTILIZERS
For normal development indoor plants need balanced mineral nutrition, which is provided by absorption of soil solutions by the root system. The substrate in which plants are grown must contain all the basic elements of mineral nutrition: macroelements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, magnesium, calcium) and microelements (zinc, manganese, boron, molybdenum, cobalt, etc.). A special role in the mineral nutrition of tropical and some sub- tropical plants plays iron, the concentration of ions of which in the soil solution should be relatively closer (two orders of magnitude less) to macroelements.
Plants require elements of mineral nutrition not only in sufficient quantities, but also in a certain ratio. A deficiency of any nutrient cannot be compensated by an excess of another; on the contrary, a significant excess of any element can cause plant depression.
Nitrogen is part of proteins, chlorophyll and many other organic compounds. Greatest need In it, plants are tested during a period of active growth. With nitrogen starvation, the leaves become pale green in color, become smaller, and the branching of shoots decreases. With an excess of nitrogen, growth increases, tissues become loose, and flowering is delayed.
Phosphorus is the main element that provides energy processes in a living cell. Phosphorus is necessary during all periods of plant life, especially in preparation for flowering. A lack of phosphorus causes a slowdown in growth processes and a delay in flowering.
Potassium influences the formation and transformation of carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids, which determine the resistance of plants to adverse environmental factors. A lack of potassium disrupts nitrogen metabolism; ammonia accumulates in cells, which in turn causes tissue death. Signs of potassium starvation appear primarily on old leaves. Yellowing and tissue death begins at the top of the leaf, spreads down along the edges of the blade, and then between the veins. The formation of buds is suspended and stopped.
Magnesium is part of chlorophyll and plays a critical role in the process of photosynthesis. With a lack of magnesium, the plant is delayed in development, the leaves turn white at the top and often curl between the veins, and the fruits do not ripen. Most cultivated tropical plants are calcium-phobic and their calcium requirements are negligible. High levels of calcium carbonates in irrigation water and fertilizer solutions make all microelements unavailable to plants.
Lack of microelements causes acute physiological disorders, which on young leaves manifest themselves in various kinds chlorosis - yellowing, spotting, necrosis of individual areas. Growth slows down, and growth points often die off.
One of the most important factors influencing the process of absorption of substances from the soil and their distribution in cells is the acidity of the soil solution, which affects the solubility and availability of macro- and microelements of mineral nutrition. For most indoor plants, the optimum is in a slightly acidic or acidic environment (see “Water”). In an alkaline environment, the solubility of microelements decreases; plants suffer from the inaccessibility of iron, boron, manganese, zinc, and copper, although there may be enough of them in the substrate.
In addition to nutrients which plants obtain from the substrate, it is necessary to carry out regular fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers. The domestic industry produces a whole range of mineral fertilizers that are used to feed indoor plants. Among nitrogen fertilizers, urea and potassium nitrate are widely used. As phosphate fertilizers water-soluble superphosphate is used in different forms, potassium phosphate and combined fertilizers - potassium metaphosphate, ammophos, ammonium metaphosphate. Magnesium is added in the form of magnesium sulfate: iron - in chelate and sulfate forms.
From complex fertilizers Balanced with all elements of mineral nutrition, the Riga mixtures A and B and the liquid mixture “Vita” deserve attention. Besides them, they are used well soluble fertilizers with different ratios of macronutrients.
They are widely used for feeding indoor plants. organic fertilizers: domestic animal manure, bird droppings, slaughterhouse waste products - bone and blood meal, horn shavings. The best of them is manure, which contains all the main macro- and microelements. Blood meal is used as nitrogen fertilizer, bone meal and horn shavings are used as phosphorus fertilizer. Organic fertilizers (manure, bone meal, horn shavings, blood) are added to soil mixtures when they are prepared in dry form. For fertilizing in the form of solutions, all organic fertilizers are pre-prepared. Manure is poured with water and, with periodic stirring, fermented for 10-12 days, after which it is filtered and diluted; mullein and horse manure 4-5 times, bird droppings 8-10 times and more. Blood meal is pre-fermented and the plants are watered with a completely transparent solution (2 g/l). Use as an additive to soil mixtures wood ash It is not recommended, since its application causes alkalization of the substrate.
When feeding plants, take them into account biological features and condition. Flowering plants demanding on phosphorus and potash fertilizers, and powerful, well-developed decorative-leaved herbaceous plants are more demanding of nitrogen. Cacti and succulents are fed during the growth period before emergence. flower bud. Nitrogen fertilizers It is better to apply in the spring; in the second half of summer, the dose of phosphorus and potassium in the fertilizing should be increased. Feed healthy, intensively growing plants. It is not recommended to feed newly transplanted, weak and diseased plants, as well as plants that are finishing their growth or are in a dormant period. Before fertilizing, water the plants well.
During intensive growth, from spring to autumn, plants need regular balanced feeding with organic and (or) mineral fertilizers(once every 10-14 days). With a sufficient level of illumination in autumn-winter (see “Light regime”), some plants can be fed year-round. Transplanted plants can be fed several weeks after transplantation, provided they are well rooted.
Plants can be fed only with solutions of low concentration, since a high salt content in the solution can cause burns to the root system. Traditionally, a solution concentration is used at the rate of 2 g of salts per 1 liter of water: for some plants (Gesneriaceae, ferns, many aroids) it is halved. Practice shows that frequent, regular feeding (through watering) with solutions of weaker concentration (0.1 g/l) gives better results for most indoor plants.
The temperature of the fertilizer solution should exceed room temperature by 3-5 "C. It is not recommended to feed plants in a cold room.
Along with the usual fertilizing, foliar fertilizing can be done several times during the summer by spraying the above-ground part of the plants with solutions of urea or complex fertilizers (1 g/l).
