Whether you are a commercial grower
looking to expand or a flower
and plant enthusiast who
would like to bring your summer
garden indoors – The Root
in Brookfield, Illinois can help!
NPK Formulations
All plants, whether they are grown in soil or with
hydroponics, require a balance of nitrogen, phosphorous,
potassium (N-P-K), and trace elements to grow properly.
These nutrients are available to plants in soil in small
amounts, but over time they get depleted and need to be su pplied
separately to make up the deficit. In hydroponics, it is
all the more important to ensure that plants get the right
nutrients in the right amounts.
Hydroponics formulations are structured for specific
stages of a plants life cycle. A plants nutrients
requirements vary according to the stages of its life
cycle. When plants are in the vegetative stage, they
require greater amounts of nitrogen, which is the key
element in development of leaves and stems. Deficiency of
nitrogen during the growth period leads to stunted growth
with yellowing of leaves. This is the most commonly seen
deficiency in plants. During the flowering cycle the plant
requires less nitrogen and more phosphorus and potassium.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen
is essential for plant growth. Nitrogen is a part of every
living cell. The two forms of nitrogen which plants take
up are in the ammonia (NH4) and nitrate (N03) ion forms.
Most agronomic crops take up most of their nitrogen in the
nitrate ion form. Plants will utilize N in the (NH4) ion
form if present and available to the plant. Lack of
nitrogen and chlorophyll means that plants cannot utilize
sunlight as an energy source to carry on essential
functions such as nutrient uptake. Research has proven
that foliar, or leaf applications of nitrogen, is one form
of application that can supplement a plants nitrogen
requirements during the growing cycle.
~ Nitrogen is necessary for chlorophyll synthesis, and as
a part of the chlorophyll molecule, is involved in
photosynthesis.
~ Nitrogen is also a component of amino acids.
~ Nitrogen is needed for growth of plants.
Phosphorus
Phosphate is a very important plant nutrient
(macro-nutrient) needed for the plant to complete its
normal production cycle. The highest level of P in young
plants is found in tissue at the growing stage. As plants
mature most of the P moves into the flower and then to the
seed or fruit.
~ Phosphorus is needed for photosynthesis.
~ Phosphorus is necessary for plant respiration.
~ Phosphorus is essential for energy storage and transfer.
~ Phosphorus is needed for cell division.
~ Phosphorus is necessary for cell enlargement.
~ Phosphorus is essential for several other plant
processes.
Potassium
An important function of Potassium is its influence in
efficient water use . Potassium helps in the process of
opening and the closing of plant leaf pores, called the
stomata. Potassium is found in cell walls which surround
stomata. Adequate amounts of Potassium can increase stress
conditions on plants during drought conditions. Potassium
is also responsible for producing quality crops.
~ Potassium is essential for protein synthesis.
~ Potassium is important in the breakdown of
carbohydrates, providing energy for plants.
~ Potassium helps to control ionic balance.
~ Potassium is important in the translocation of minerals.
~ Potassium helps plants to overcome effects of disease.
~ Potassium is essential in the fruit formation stage.
~ Potassium helps improve shelf life of fruits and
vegetables.
~ Potassium is important in the translocation of minerals.
~ Potassium is involved in the activation of more than 60
enzymes which regulate the rates of major plant growth
reactions.
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