Source of Nutrients in Soil
Nitrogen (N):
N source: the decomposition of organic materials from plants / animals.
N absorbed by plants in the form of ions NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> or NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>
Phosphorus (P):
P source : decomposition of organic materials and minerals apatite and calcium-phosphate (Ca<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>).
P absorbed by plants in the form of ions HPO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup> or H<sub>2</sub>PO<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>
Potassium (K):
K source : mineral ortoklas (KAlSi<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub>), leucit (KAl(SiO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>), muscovite (KH<sub>2</sub>Al<sub>3</sub>(SiO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>) and biotite (HK)<sub>2</sub>(MgFe)<sub>2</sub>(AlFe)<sub>2</sub>Si<sub>4</sub>O<sub>12</sub>.
K is absorbed by plants in
form of K<sup>+</sup> ions.
Calcium (Ca):
Ca source : mineral augite, hiperstin, hornblende and calcite (CaCO<sub>3</sub>).
Calcium is absorbed by plants in
form of Ca<sup>2+</sup> ions.
Magnesium (Mg):
Mg source : amphibole minerals (Ca(MgFe)<sub>2</sub>Si<sub>4</sub>O<sub>12</sub>), biotite, chlorit and dolomite (CaCO<sub>3</sub>MgCO<sub>3</sub>).
Magnesium is absorbed by plants in
Mg<sup>2+</sup> ions form
Sulfur (S):
S source : mineral gypsum (CaSO<sub>4</sub>), barite (BaSO<sub>4</sub>) and pyrite (FeS<sub>2</sub>).
Sulfur absorbed by plants in
SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup> ions form
Chlorine (Cl):
Cl source : mineral halite (NaCl) and sylvite (KCl). Chlor absorbed by plants in the form of Cl<sup>-</sup> ions
Iron (Fe):
Fe source : mineral hematite (Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>), magnetite and limonite. Fe absorbed by plants in the form of Fe<sup>2+</sup> ions
Manganese (Mn):
Mn source : mineral pirolusit (MnO<sub>2</sub>) and manganit (MnO(OH)) and braunit (MnSiO<sub>2</sub>). Mn absorbed by plants in the form of Mn<sup>2+</sup> ions
Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn):
Source of Cu and Zn : minerals secondary. Cu is absorbed by plants in the form of Cu<sup>2+</sup>and Zn in the form of Zn<sup>2+</sup>
Boron (B):
B source : termalin and borate minerals.
B Absorbed by plants in the form of BO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>, HBO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>, H<sub>2</sub>BO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> and B<sub>4</sub>O<sub>7</sub><sup>2-</sup>
Molibdenium (Mo):
Mo source : granite rocks. Mo absorbed by plants in the form of molybdate ions (MoO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup>).