This document discusses plant nutrients and their roles. It notes that 60 elements are found in plants and 16 are considered essential. These elements are divided into macro and micro nutrients. The macro nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium. The micro nutrients include iron, chlorine, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, and molybdenum. It also discusses which elements are mobile or immobile in plants and deficiency symptoms.

2.  60 elements found in plants
 16 considered essential
 Macro and Micro Elements
 Mobile or Immobile Elements

3.  Macro
◦ - N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg
 Micro
◦ - Fe, Cl, Mn, B, Zn, Cu, Mo

4. Carbon C Component of all organic
compounds
Oxygen O Supplied by air and water
Hydrogen H Combines with oxygen to form
water
Nitrogen N Part of chlorophyll, amino acids,
proteins
Phosporus P Used in photosynthesis and
almost all aspects of growth
Potassium K Activates enzymes, used in
formation of sugar and starch
Calcium Ca Used in cell growth and division,
part of cell wall
Magnesium Mg Part of chlorophyll, activates
enzymes
Sulfur S Part of amino acids and proteins

5. Boron B Affects reproduction
Chlorine Cl Aids in root growth
Copper Cu Used in chlorophyll, activates
enzymes
Iron Fe Used in photosynthesis
Manganese Mn Part of chlorophyll, activates
enzymes
Sodium Na Used for water movement
Zinc Zn Part of enzymes, used in auxins
Molybdenum Mo Used in nitrogen fixation
Nickel Nl Liberates nitrogen
Cobalt Co Fixates nitrogen
Silicon Sl Makes tougher cell walls:
Enhances heat and drought
resistance.

6.  Mobile
◦ Mg, P, K, Zn, N
◦ Can be translocated, from older leaves to younger
leaves; deficiency symptoms appear on bottom of
plant on older leaves
 Immobile
◦ Ca, Fe, S, B, Cu, Mn
◦ Deficiency symptoms appear on upper plant, young
leaves first

8.  TDS – EC – CF – PPM
 Aquaponics vs. Hydroponics
 Remember pH Interactions

9. TDS (Total Dissolved
Solids)
62-779 (1200)
Ca 10-82 (150)
Mg 0.7-12.9 (50)
K 0.3-192 (150)
No3-N 0.4-82 (115)
PO4-P 0.4-15 (50)
SO4-S 0-23 (113)

10. Fe 0.03-4.3 (5.0)
Mn 0.01-0.19 (0.5)
Cu 0.01-0.11 (0.3)
Zn 0.11-0.8 (0.05)
B 0.01-0.23 (0.5)
Mo 0-0.17 (0.05)

11.  Light
 Oxygen
 Supplements
 Temperature
 Adequate Plant Spacing
 Adequate Support And Protection
 Pruning And Training

12.  pH Interactions
 Add Base carefully and gradually so as not to burn
fish and plants
 Nitrate Regulation-Clean out net filter tank 1x week
for fruiting and 2 x week for high levels of nitrate –
the more you clean the net filter tanks, the more
active nitrification you will get. Cleaning these tanks
regularly with non chlorinated water also reduces risk
of pathogens in the water.
 DON’T USE CHLORINATED WATER STRAIGHT FROM
THE TAP. AGE TAPWATER 48 HOURS IN OPEN TANK
BEFORE USE. CHLORAMINED TAPWATER REQUIRES RO
FILTRATION AS DOES FLUORIDATED TAPWATER.
 Favor the Plants if Necessary-they are the profit line.