The main elements necessary for plant life are three in number: Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Potassium. However, these are not the only useful nutrients found in garden soil. There are a myriad of other elements, which are necessary to a lesser extent but are still important for crops. These include sulfur, calcium and magnesium, which are considered macroelements due to their fundamental presence, and other no less important microelements, such as iron, zinc and manganese, which are considered microelements.
Each microelement has its own role in the many processes that occur during the vital activity of plants, a deficiency or excess of one of these substances can create imbalances that manifest themselves in physiopathies.
The deficiencies of soil elements are not always due to their real absence: often the cause lies in the excess of other antagonistic microelements which hinder their absorption. The pH of the soil also has an important influence on the uptake of nutrients by the plant.
The role of fertilization is not limited to the restoration of the famous macroelements: it is important to bring to the soil, and therefore to the root system of the plant, a great richness in substances to nourish itself. For simplicity, we list in this article among the microelements all the useful elements except the NPK triad, that is, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and report the main elements of interest for the farmer.
Recognize shortcomings and excesses
A first symptom that generally appears in the event of an imbalance in the presence of a microelement is the abnormal coloring of the leaves of the plant. Yellowing that is not due to dryness or reddening of leaf pages may be an indication of micronutrient deficiency. Falling leaves and flowers or stunted growth can also be caused by soil lacking in certain important substances.