Secondary Nutrients - Na

Sodium (Na)

Over the past 2 weeks we discussed the secondary nutrients of Calcium and Sulphur; this final secondary nutrient probably has a lot of people a little baffled. Sodium is only considered a secondary nutrient because of the sheer amount of sodium that plants can take before there is a problem. Most plants are extremely salt-tolerant. Salts, in a form, are actually necessary to promote metabolism and concentrate carbon dioxide.

Sodium-based fertilizers have been used in agriculture for many years. Their mode of action is such that they force nutrient into plants and root systems by using the charge of salt vs the pressures of osmosis. This means that salt will move to areas where it is less concentrated, and if they contain other nutrients, those nutrients will be directly forced into each and every cell in the plant system. This is why we need to “flush” plants with most nutrients, because this salt-based nutrient resides within the fruiting/flowering body part of the plant and is unpleasant hen consumed.

Tune in next week as we start to dive into Micronutrients!


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