The elements which are required to complete life cycle of plant, are called nutrition elements. In the absence of any of the elements, plants can not complete their life cycle and these can not be supplemented by other elements.
Elements required for Plant nutrition
Classification
These essential plant nutrients are classified into two on the basis of quantity required, such as –
(a) Macronutrient and (b) Micronutrient
Macronutrient
The elements which are required in relatively large quantity are called macronutrient. The names of macronutrients are given below: (1) Carbon , (2) Oxygen, (3) Hydrogen, (4) Nitrogen, (5) Phosphorus, (6) Potassium , (7) Calcium, (8) Magnesium, (9) Sulphur
Macronutrient
The elements which are required in small quantity are called micronutrient. The micronutrient are as follows: 1) Iron, 2) Manganese, 3) Copper, 4) Zink, 5) Boron, 6) Molybdenum, 7) Chlorine and (8) Cobalt.
Source
Carbon and oxygen are absorbed from the air, while other nutrients including water are obtained from the soil
Importance of plant nutrition
Plant nutrition is very important for plant. In the absence of any of the elements, plant can not complete their life cycle and these can not be supplemented by other elements. They are essential because they are important to plant functions. There are 17 essential plant nutrients. Carbon and oxygen are absorbed from the air, while other nutrients including water are obtained from the soil. Plants must obtain the mineral nutrients to live and to grow. The nutrients also increase the productivity. Plant will not be able to reproduce without these elements.
The nutrients are divided into two parts. Namely (1) macronutrients and (2) micronutrients.
The Macronutrients are (1) Carbon , (2) Oxygen, (3) Hydrogen, (4) Nitrogen, (5) Phosphorus, (6) Potassium , (7) Calcium, (8) Magnesium, (9) Sulphur
The micronutrients are 1) Iron,