To understand hydroponics Nutrients, first, we need to recognize the basics of the organic structure of plants. We must know elements are, and how they are used by living organisms for growing processes. On planet Earth, there are four basic elements that are there: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen.
Plants live in the world’s environment, which is made out of around 78% Nitrogen, 20% Oxygen, and 2% Carbon dioxide. Most pure, unstable elements will react with other elements in nature until they are combined and stabilized into compounds.
While picking the correct supplement for the hydroponics system, you have to remember when you read about the single piece of supplement that contains “everything” your plants need and help in hydroponics nutrients.
Elements need by Plants
Supplements are one of the nuts and bolts of any hydroponic system. They must be in the right quantity and with the right measurements. Hydroponics plants can be controlled with the help of the Plant Nutrients. There are 20 elements that are necessary for the growth of plants.
The composition of all the elements must be important and in the right quantity. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen plants are directly absorbed from the air and others they get from the soil.
all the plants, grow in soil or without soil. they need all the elements in balance form. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other macro or micro elements are important for growth. Nutrients which are available in the soil are in small unknown amounts and over time they get depleted.
With hydroponics, things work a little differently. Without soil, the plants need to get their nutrient supply from somewhere else. Hydroponic systems like the Greenery use water as a hydroponics nutrient delivery system. Water-soluble liquid plant nutrients are diluted into water that travels to plants’ roots.
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Index
- The Organic Composition of Plants
- Macronutrients
- Micro Nutrients
- Maintaining Nutrients concentration and PH
- Conclusion
The Organic Composition of Plants
To develop the property, you must need to understand all the four elements. Because all four elements occur naturally, most people do not consider them while discussing plant Nutrients. It should be stressed that removing or depletion of any of them can cause the death of the plant.
Four Elements:
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
Carbon
As you already study, the plant absorbs CO2 in the day and gives Oxygen in the night. With the help of sunlight plants convert CO2 and water to sugar and oxygen, that process is called photosynthesis. Carbon consists of almost 50% of the dry weight of the plant.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is important in the plant. It cation nutrient cation exchange and in plant-soil relation. It also helps in the formation of sugar and starches.
Oxygen
it is required to form sugar, starches, and cellulose. Oxygen is important in the process of respiration which provides energy to plants.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is also necessary for the formation of different acids in the plant. Amino acids, coenzymes, and chlorophyll are formed with Nitrogen in plants.
These are all are the basic elements that play an important role in the plant’s growth and we should consider it while making the hydroponics Nutrients.
Macronutrients
Macro Nutrients are those nutrients that are consumed in larger quantities. Macronutrients are the main part of the plant’s Nutrients solution. The Macronutrients consist of 3 Nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. These Nutrients come in the category of Macronutrients.
Nitrogen
| Element | Symbol |
| Nitrogen | N |
Nitrogen is used in the formation of amino acid, coenzymes, and Chlorophyll in the plant. It is helpful in the development of the plant and helps in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Plants absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrate from the soil. It is directly responsible for plant growth. if plant loss vigor and color then it is due to nitrogen deficiency
Nitrogen Deficiency in Plant
The Deficiency of the Nitrogen is shown on the plant in the form of spindly plants with small yellowish leaves. Some parts of the plant turn purple.
Phosphorus
| Element | Symbol |
| Phosphorus | P |
The growth of the roots also depends on the phosphorus. It helps in the production of sugars, phosphate, and ATP (energy), flower production and root growth. Phosphorus is involved in transporting and storing energy.
Phosphorus Deficiency in Plant
It causes plants to stunt and turn dark green. The deficiency of the phosphorus is directly seen on the flowering, browning and wrinkling on the leaves of the plant.
Potassium
| Element | Symbol |
| Potassium | K |
Protein synthesis requires high Potassium levels.Potassium also helps in the regulation of water and transport of the plant’s reserve substances. It plays a major role in the regulation of water in plants. It also helps in improving drought resistance.
Potassium Deficiency in Plant
Due to the Deficiency of Potassium, the growth of the plant slows and the older leaves develop mottling and plants become prone to fungus.
Micro Nutrients
Micro Nutrients are totally opposite to the Macronutrients. They absorb in small to minute quantities. micronutrients are very essential for the plant to grow a verdant and healthy crop. Hydroponics nutrients also contains Micro Nutrients.
| Element Name | Symbol |
| Calcium | Ca |
| Sulfur | S |
| Iron | Fe |
| Magnesium | Mg |
| Boron | B |
| Manganese | Mn |
| Zinc | Zn |
| Molybdenum | Mo |
| Copper | Cu |
| Cobalt | Co |
Calcium
It is used for the formation of the cell wall in the plant.
Deficiency
Calcium deficiency causes stunting and crinkling in leaves.
Toxicity
Due to the excessive use of Calcium can cause a difficult spot on leaves.
Sulfur
It helps in Protein synthesis, water uptake, fruiting, and seeding.
Deficiency
It turns the young leaves into yellow and purple bases.
Toxicity
Due to Excessive use, slow growth is shown and smaller leaves.
Iron
It helps in the formation of Chlorophyll, helps in the respiration of sugars, which help in growth energy.
Deficiency
Iron deficiency can cause new growth to become pale and blossoms to drop from the plant.
Toxicity
Excessive Iron is difficult to spot and is quite rare.
Magnesium
It helps in utilizing chlorophyll production and enzyme manufacture.
Deficiency
Older leaves turn yellow and curl. It is transported from the older leaves to feed the newer ones.
Toxicity
Rare symptoms are seen
Boron
It helps in the formation of cell walls in combination with calcium.
Deficiency
Poor growth is seen in plants and brittle stems.
Toxicity
Leaf tips become yellow and die off.
Manganese
It helps in the growth process and the formation of oxygen in photosynthesis.
Deficiency
Yellowing leaves between the veins and failed blooms are seen.
Toxicity
The availability of iron is reduced in the plant.
Zinc
Utilizing in chlorophyll production, respiration, and nitrogen metabolism.
Deficiency
Small leaves with crinkled margins.
Toxicity
Excessive Zinc may also reduce the availability of Iron.
Molybdenum
Nitron metabolism and fixation
Deficiency
Signs of deficiency are small, yellow leaves.
Toxicity
It can cause the tomato leaves to turn yellow.
Copper
Activates enzymes, necessary for Photosynthesis and respiration.
Deficiency
It can cause pale, yellow spotted leaves.
Toxicity
It can reduce the availability of iron.
Cobalt
While Cobalt is not known to be directly required by plants, Nitrogen-fixing organisms that help legumes like beans and alfalfa feed require cobalt in trace amounts.
Deficiency
N/A
Toxicity
N/A
Maintaining Nutrients Concentration and PH
To get the optimal growth to take place, a balanced solution is necessary. The concentration of hydroponics Nutrients and PH is very important in the solution. Why these are necessary, in any hydroponics solution, with every pass of the solution changes the concentration of the solution.
Therefore, each plant’s ability to uptake essential elements is different. The best way of maintaining the concentration of the solution is measurements of the TDS and PPM. you can also take measurements of the EC, it is the electrical conductivity of a solution.
There is the number of methods available for the measurement of the PPM, but the best way to take a digital meter and submerge it in solution and take the reading. Every solution frequently changes its concentration. The best advice is to follow the direction that comes with the nutrient plan.
All the nutrients are best in the world, but if they are not absorbed by the roots then they will not work. The major factor for the checking of the nutrient absorbed by the plant is the acidity or PH of the soil or solution. You can easily check the PH value with the help of the PH meter.
Before giving a solution to the plant you must need to stabilize the solution. If 1 is coming on the PH meter then it is acid. The right PH for the plant is 5.5 to 6.5, it depends on every plant. You can check the PH values of every plant. You can use the PH up and PH down solution to stabilize it.
Replacing the water after some regular period of time will provide better plants and avoid damage to the crop. Regular checking of PPM and PH values is necessary for the hydroponics system.
Conclusion
Every living thing on this earth requires some type of nutrients for survival. As we are humans we also need food to live. There are different types of elements that are consumed by the plant to grow. In these blogs I told you about all the essential nutrients which are necessary for plant growth.
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I am Electronics Engineer and working on Startup on Hydroponics. I am doing trials and working on the Hydroponics system last 2 years. Hydroponics is the future of Agriculture. if anyone want to learn about Hydroponics can ask me.
