Tag: tissue test
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Know Your Nutrients: Chloride
Chloride (Cl) is required in small quantities but is very active in plant cells. It acts with potassium to regulate stomatal openings in the leaves, controlling internal water balance, and functions in cation balance and transport. Chloride is effective in suppressing and lessening the effect of fungal infections and can advance maturity of small grains […]
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Know Your Nutrients: Iron
It’s a micronutrient needed only in small amounts, but iron (Fe) plays a critical role in photosynthesis, helping to keep crops green, healthy and thriving. Iron is involved in chlorophyll development and plays a role in energy transfer, metabolism and respiration. It is also important for the structure and function of proteins and enzymes and […]
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Know Your Nutrients: Molybdenum
Molybdenum (Mo) is a trace element but it has a big job. A good, albeit small, supply of molybdenum improves nitrogen uptake and conversion in plants. Molybdenum is a co-factor in the enzyme nitrate reductase (the enzyme which catalyzes the first reaction in the formation of organic nitrogen compounds to inorganic). It helps plants utilize […]
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Know Your Nutrients: Boron
Playing a key role in a wide range of processes within the plant, boron (B) is a micronutrient that is essential to crop health. It is important to the cellular structure of the plant, contributing to cell wall formation and stability. It is a factor in cell division and elongation, protein synthesis, metabolism and transport of […]
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Know Your Nutrients: Copper
Identifying and addressing a copper deficiency can make a big difference when it comes time to harvest. Copper (Cu) is a micronutrient which is only needed in trace amounts, but is involved in several key plant actions, including photosynthesis, nitrogen utilization, protein production and water regulation. Adequate copper is needed for lignin formation, affecting the […]
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Know Your Nutrients: Manganese
Manganese (Mn), a.k.a. “the activator,” is one of the nine micronutrients essential for growing a healthy crop. It is responsible for activating over 35 vital enzymes in the plant and plays an important role in regulating carbohydrate metabolism. Manganese is a key driver of photosynthesis, acting as a catalyst for water-splitting – dividing water into its elemental parts. […]
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Know Your Nutrients: Zinc
Although zinc (Zn) is required in much smaller amounts than some of the other micronutrients, it can make a big difference in both crop yield, health and quality. Pay attention to zinc – high yields cannot be achieved without it! Zinc is a key driver of germination and root development and is required for growth […]
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Know Your Nutrients: Magnesium
Magnesium (Mg) is a secondary nutrient and the only mineral component of chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants. Without magnesium, there would be no chlorophyll and without chlorophyll, there would be no photosynthesis. Besides being integral to the process of capturing and converting sunlight to energy, magnesium also helps a plant efficiently use carbon dioxide […]
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Know Your Nutrients: Calcium
Required by all plants to grow and thrive, calcium (Ca) plays a big part in plant development and fruit quality. Although it’s considered a secondary nutrient, a plant’s need for calcium can be as high as its needs for nitrogen and potassium. Calcium is essential for the proper functioning of growing points, particularly root tips […]
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Know Your Nutrients: Sulfur
Sulfur (S) is a secondary nutrient, but it can be just as important as the primary (macro) nutrients. In fact, a plant’s sulfur requirements are similar to its needs for phosphorus, which is why some people call it “the fourth macronutrient.” Sulfur is essential for plant growth, aiding in enzyme and vitamin activities, chlorophyll formation […]
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