Plants` mineral nutrition is a dynamic process. In its very nature it is absorption of nutritive elements through the root system and over-ground green parts. In plant’s organism the process of absorption, transportation and assimilation of nutritive elements is affected by the soil and climate characteristics in the cultivation area.
In order to determine the stock and quantity of the nutrients provided by the soil, it is sufficient to perform analysis of representative soil samples. Based on the soil analysis results can be determined the need of additional application of deficient nutritive elements.
The agronomists of NIK Agro Service can prepare a plant nutrition program for productivity adjustment of the cultivated cultures in order to reach the desired potential.
The ecological factors during the period of cultivation strongly affect plant growth and development, including plant nutrition. As a result of unfavorable soil and climate conditions during a certain period of time the plant can suffer from nutritional imbalance causing disrupted absorption or usage of otherwise accessible for the plant nutritive elements.
The chemical structure analysis of the plant provides information for the nutrient status of the plant cells. The plant development at optimum soil and climate conditions and agro-setting without illness or insects results in so called “normal” chemical composition of the cells that form plant organs in certain age. These organs are called “indicative” and their chemical composition for every phenophase is relatively constant.
In practice normal chemical composition of plant organs (leaves, fruits, etc.) is perceived as “optimal” content of chemical elements. If plant analysis values are under the level of optimal content, a “deficiency” of certain nutrient is determined. If these values surpass the level of optimal content, an “excess” is determined. In compliance with good production practices, in order to obtain normal development of plants it is important to bear in mind that every deficiency and every excess of nutritive elements affects in a negative way both the plant development and the expected yield.
On the grounds of plant analysis results we can prepare fertilization recommendations not only for the current year but for the next vegetation period (especially important for perennial plantations). Visible indications for nutritional imbalance occur as a result of more serious malfunctions. The adjustment of nutrition in such late stage does not fully compensate for the slow development of the plants and impacts on agricultural output.
Comparing the results of soil and leaves analysis from one and the same plot serves as basis for determining potential malfunctions in plant nutrition. This is relevant for all chemical elements in plant cell because every one of them has an irreplaceable role in the organism of the plant.
