MACRO ELEMENTS AND MICRO ELEMENTS

For optimal growth plants need about 16 minerals. Not all minerals have the same importance for the plant. The three major minerals that plants use large quantities of are:

Nitrogen (N) - Phosphorus (P) - Potassium (K).
The amount of NPK are almost always listed on the labels of fertilizers, for example "21-15-21".
These numbers correspond to the percentage of weight of each macro element, better known as N, P and K.
The macro elements that are present in plants when combined with each other and with the micro elements determine the state of health of plants.
Generally also Sulphur (S), Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) are considered macro elements.

The combinations of nutrients play a crucial role in plant health:

Nitrogen (N): promotes the development of new leaves.
Lack of nitrogen can be seen with clear leaves and faded.

Phosphorus (P): promotes the development of roots and the flowering stage.
The shortage is manifested with dark leaves, red and purple and slow growth.

Potassium (K): important to protect the plant from problems and determining growth in situations of extreme temperatures.
Lack of manifest with dry leaves and yellow from the end.

Sulphur (S): helping to maintain healthy plants.
Responsible for green / black leaves.

Calcium (Ca): promotes the development of roots and new shoots.

Magnesium (Mg): promotes the synthesis chlorophyll, the pigment that gives colour to the leaves and absorbs the green light to turn it into Mg ions.
Lack of Magnesium is manifested by yellow leaves with green veins.

Boron, copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, zinc, etc. There are plants in small quantities and are known as micro-nutrients. The plants absorb the proper amount of micro-nutrients from the soil.
This is why many fertilizers on the ground do not contain trace. In hydroponics, when we’re not using soil, fertilizers are rich in specific micro elements.