Nitrogen (N)

A colorless, odorless, inert gas, consituting about four-fifths of the air. When mixtures of nitrogen and hydrogen in proper proportions are compressed in the presence of a suitable catalyst, ammonia is formed. There are four general classes of fertilizer materials containing fixed nitrogen.
  1. Nitrates.
  2. Ammonium Salts.
  3. Natural Organics.
  4. Synthetic Organic Chemicals.

Nitrogen is a constituent of every living cell. It is a part of chlorophyll, of all protein, nucleic acids, and of many other substances in animals and plants. As a fertilizer it is needed in large amounts by all growing crops. It promotes growth of leaf and stem and increases plant vigor. It adds crispness to leafy crops, and improves their quality. It increases the protein content of food and feed crops. It helps increase yields of crops. It insures a dark healthy, green color in leaves containing chlorophyll.

Too much nitrogen may injure the quality of fruits and vegetables, may delay maturity, causes falling over of grains, and increase susceptibility to disease. High nitrates in drinking water causes birth defects.

Nitrogen deficiency may be recognized by pale, thin, yellow green leaves, slow growth, and low yields. Foliar sprays of nitrogen as Urea is absorbed very quickly. 50% is in the plant within one half hour to two hours as shown by radioactive isotopes. This is a mobile element in the plant.

Table showing the relative con-
centration in plants of nutrients

Nutrient Compared to Mo
Molybdenum
Copper
Zinc
Manganese
Iron
Boron
Chlorine
Sulfur
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Calcium
Potassium
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Carbon
Hydrogen
1
100
300
1,000
2,000
2,000
3,000
30,000
60,000
80,000
125,000
250,000
1,000,000
30,000,000
40,000,000
60,000,000

To return to Plant Nutrients.

To return to Plant Nutritional Doctor home page.