Mineral Deficiencies
Mineral Deficiencies  It is unwise to treat soil for a mineral deficiency unless you are really sure that it is really deficient in that particular mineral or element as improper treatments may simply exacerbate the condition. Mineral deficiencies often occur as a result of over-liming, excessive fertilizer use, or poor soil structure. – rather than a true shortage in the soil. Cold weather, drought, and waterlogging can cause a temporary deficiency in a plant. Soil Test Kit True shortages of minerals or elements is much less common. However, mineral deficiencies are common in commercial farming where synthetic fertilizers are typically used. Mineral deficiencies may occur in areas where top soil was stripped (i.e. new subdivisions), or in regions with thin soils and high rainfalls, and deserts. A soil or plant analysis may be necessary to identify a deficiently accurately. The Plant Environment- needs to be strongly considered in the overall diagnosis of plant health. Nutritional problems must be considered in relation to all the conditions in which plants live, and not merely in terms of the amounts of plant nutrients contained in or added to the soil. For example, those who are accustomed to growing plants know that the temperature must not be too low or no growth may result or that if too high the plants may be injured.
An optimum temperature is usually recognized and this may vary according as to whether the plant is young or old. Similarly the importance of light is well known and plants may be put in special positions to obtain a maximum supply of light at one stage and may be shaded at another. Humidity and water supply in the soil also play critical roles in overall plant health.
Plants need 17 elements and minerals for normal growth. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen come from the air and water. Soil is the principle source of other nutrients. Primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are used in relatively large amounts and often supplemented as fertilizers. secondary nutrients (calcium, magnesium, and sulfur) are also used in large amounts but are typically readily available and in adequate supply. Micronutrients or trace elements are needed only in small amounts. These include iron, zinc, molybdenum, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, and chlorine. Improve Soil Structure- An important but often overlooked problem causing mineral deficiencies is poor soil structure. Most soils today lack earthworms and microbes,which are key to building and maintaining soil structure. Earthworms are nature's soil aerators. Live Earthworms (redworms) improve and condition the soil as they burrow in search of food. Earthworms excrete a highly nitrous fertilizer (called castings), which contain 5X the available nitrogen, 7X the available phosphorus, 3X the exchangeable magnesium, 11X the available potash, and 1.5X the calcium found in 6 in/15cm of top soil. This is truly a more symbiotic, organic and long term more cost efficient way to maintain your soils health.Let nature do the work... See Boron, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus deficiencies for more detailed information. Any of these mineral deficiencies can adversely affect plant growth.
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