Fertilizer enhance the growth of plants. This goal is met in two ways, the traditional one being additives that provide nutrients. The second mode by which some fertilizers act is to enhance the effectiveness of the soil by modifying its water retention and aeration. This article, like most on fertilizers, emphasises the nutritional aspect. Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions.
- Three main macronutrients:
- Nitrogen (N): leaf growths
- Phosphorus (P): Development of roots, flowers, seeds, fruit;
- Potassium (K): Strong stem growth, movement of water in plants, promotion of flowering and fruiting;
- Three secondary macro nutrients: Calcuim (Ca), magensium (Mg), and sulphur (S);
- Micronutrients: copper(Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybedenum (Mo), zinc(Zn), boron (B), and of occasional significance there are silicon (Si), cobalt(Co), and vanddium (V) plus rare mineral catalysts.