NPK fertilizer use in layman terms
NPK Fertilizer Use in Layman Terms N (Nitrogen), P (Phosphorus), and K (Potassium) are the three elements (by weight) that make up the vital tripod of plant development. Each of them acts specifically in the plant: • Nitrogen N : promotes healthy foliage by helping in the development of shoots and leaves. Without it, the old leaves usually become yellowish, and the plant loses the green tone characteristic of chlorophyll. Sources of nitrogen include fish or crab meal, cottonseed meal, feather meal, soybean meal, blood meal, ammonium/urea and manures such as bat guano, as well as many cover crops. • Phosphorus P : supports strong root development and is responsible for stimulating the plant’s fruiting and flowering. The phosphorus-deficient vegetable has a weakened growth with an abnormal dark green colour. Sources of phosphorus include Fish meal, bat/seabird guano, bone meal, alfalfa meal and phosphates. • Potassium K : helps regulate water and nutrient movements within