Essential Nutrients and their Roles
Nutrients required by a cotton crop can be separated into two main categories; macro- and micro- nutrients. The label of macro or micro nutrient is descriptive of the quantity of that nutrient required by the crop for optimum growth and development. The three primary nutrients that are most intensively managed in cotton production systems across the belt include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Most other nutrients are supplied in sufficient enough quantities by native soil that additions to the systems through supplemental fertilization are not required. However, each of the essential plant nutrients, both macro and micro, will be discussed.
