Healthy soil is the foundation of every thriving lawn and garden. Understanding how each plant nutrient works helps you choose the right fertiliser, correct deficiencies, and promote stronger, greener growth year-round.
This interactive nutrient table breaks down all essential and beneficial elements, from major macronutrients like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) to trace micronutrients such as Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Boron (B). Each element plays a unique role in plant health, soil fertility, and disease resistance. Whether you’re a home gardener, turf professional or farmer, use this guide to understand what your plants really need and how balanced nutrition improves lawn colour, resilience, and productivity. For best results, pair this information with Plant Doctor’s fertilisers and soil conditioners designed to deliver complete nutrient efficiency.
H
Hydrogen (H)
Component of water and organic compounds; central to plant metabolism and proton gradients. Note: Supplied via water — maintain adequate irrigation and root health.
Li
Lithium (Li)
Not essential; has been reported to influence growth regulators at trace levels in some studies. Practical: No routine use for horticulture.
Be
Beryllium (Be)
No known essential function in higher plants; treated as non-essential.
B
Boron (B)
Critical for cell-wall formation, membrane integrity and reproductive development (flowers, fruit). Deficiency: Deformed growing points, poor fruit set. Fix: Foliar sprays or targeted soil amendments following soil test.
C
Carbon (C)
Backbone of all organic molecules; supplied from CO₂ via photosynthesis. Practical: Ensure good light and healthy leaf area for carbon fixation.
N
Nitrogen (N)
Drives vegetative growth — essential for amino acids, proteins and chlorophyll synthesis. Deficiency: Pale or yellow leaves (chlorosis), reduced growth. Fix: Apply balanced N fertiliser based on soil test; consider organic matter and timing.
O
Oxygen (O)
Vital for root respiration and water uptake at the root surface. Practical: Avoid waterlogging — maintain good soil structure and aeration.
Na
Sodium (Na)
Not essential for most plants but can partially substitute potassium in some C4 and CAM species. Note: Excess sodium causes salinity stress — avoid accumulation.
Mg
Magnesium (Mg)
Secondary macronutrient: central atom in chlorophyll, activates many enzymes and influences nutrient transport. Deficiency: Interveinal yellowing on older leaves. Fix: Dolomite or Mg-containing fertiliser guided by soil/petiole tests.
Al
Aluminium (Al)
Not essential; in small amounts or specific soils can influence root growth. Generally considered non-essential for routine nutrition.
Si
Silicon (Si)
Beneficial: strengthens cell walls, improves drought and pest resistance, and can reduce lodging in cereals. Use: Valuable in stressed crops or where silicon-amending materials are available.
P
Phosphorus (P)
Essential for energy transfer (ATP), root development, flowering and seed set. Deficiency: Poor root growth, delayed maturity. Fix: Band or place P near roots; check soil pH for availability.
S
Sulfur (S)
Secondary macronutrient: important for some amino acids and vitamins, and for chlorophyll formation. Deficiency: Yellowing of new leaves; often corrected with sulphate fertilisers or organic inputs.
Cl
Chloride (Cl)
Micronutrient: involved in osmosis and ionic balance and required in photosynthetic reactions. Note: Generally present in sufficient amounts; deficiency uncommon.
K
Potassium (K)
Regulates stomatal opening, water relations, enzyme activation and stress tolerance; improves fruit quality. Deficiency: Leaf margin scorch or curling; weak stress resistance. Fix: Apply K fertiliser and maintain balanced nutrition.
Ca
Calcium (Ca)
Secondary macronutrient: essential for cell-wall stability, root and cell development and membrane integrity. Deficiency: Blossom end rot in fruiting crops, distorted new growth. Fix: Soil or foliar calcium sources and ensure even soil moisture.
Mn
Manganese (Mn)
Micronutrient involved in photosynthesis, respiration and nitrogen metabolism. Deficiency: Interveinal chlorosis and reduced enzyme function. Fix: Mn foliar sprays or soil amendments if pH is high.
Fe
Iron (Fe)
Essential for chlorophyll synthesis and many enzymatic processes. Deficiency: Interveinal chlorosis on young leaves. Fix: Fe chelates or foliar applications; check soil pH for availability problems.
Co
Cobalt (Co)
Micronutrient important for nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legumes and beneficial microbial interactions. Note: Needed only in trace amounts; relevant for legume inoculation and fixation.
Ni
Nickel (Ni)
Micronutrient essential for urease activity and nitrogen metabolism. Deficiency: Rare, but can affect nitrogen utilisation in some crops.
Cu
Copper (Cu)
Micronutrient involved in photosynthesis, respiration and lignin synthesis (strengthens cell walls). Deficiency: Dieback and poor flowering; more likely in sandy, organic soils.
Zn
Zinc (Zn)
Micronutrient vital for growth hormones, enzyme systems and protein synthesis. Deficiency: Stunted growth and distorted new leaves. Fix: Zn foliar sprays or soil applications based on test results.
Se
Selenium (Se)
Beneficial at low levels for some plants and microbes; can influence stress responses. Caution: Toxic at higher concentrations.
Sr
Strontium (Sr)
Occasionally reported as a growth stimulator in limited contexts; not widely used in horticulture.
Mo
Molybdenum (Mo)
Micronutrient necessary for nitrate reduction and nitrogen fixation (enzyme cofactor). Deficiency: Poor nitrogen utilisation and leaf yellowing similar to N shortage. Fix: Mo fertilisers or seed treatments for legumes in Mo-poor soils.
