18th Feb '26

Mineral Salts

Mineral salts are essential for the development and function of plants:

Mineral Salt Use Symptoms of lacking

Magnesium Forms part of the chlorophyll Leaves turn pale green or yellow. Roots Normal

Nitrogen Required to make proteins, which are used for growth Leaves Pale. Lower leaves dead. Roots only slightly Affected. Stunted Growth

Phosphorus Needed for the plants DNA Purple Leaves. Roots Poorly Developed

Potassium Helps the plant produce fruit No Fruit. Dead edges and spots on leaves. Normal Roots

Mineral Salt	Use	Symptoms of lacking
Magnesium	Forms part of the chlorophyll	Leaves turn pale green or yellow. Roots Normal
Nitrogen	Required to make proteins, which are used for growth	Leaves Pale. Lower leaves dead. Roots only slightly Affected. Stunted Growth
Phosphorus	Needed for the plants DNA	Purple Leaves. Roots Poorly Developed
Potassium	Helps the plant produce fruit	No Fruit. Dead edges and spots on leaves. Normal Roots

Mineral salts are taken up in the roots by active transport. Plants can not rely on diffusion as concentrations in the roots are than in the soil. Active transport 'pumps' minerals into the roots using energy from .