Kasviravinne

Kasviravinne is the Estonian term for plant nutrients, the chemical elements and compounds that plants require for growth, metabolism, and reproduction. In agronomy and horticulture, kasviravinne are typically divided into macronutrients and micronutrients.

Macronutrients are needed in larger amounts and include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are also essential to plants, largely sourced from air and water, and they form the backbone of organic molecules and energy transfer within the plant.

Micronutrients are required in smaller amounts and include iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, chlorine, nickel, and cobalt. While needed in traces, these elements play critical roles in enzyme function, photosynthesis, respiration, and hormone signaling. Some elements, such as cobalt and nickel, are essential primarily for certain species or specific physiological contexts (for example, symbiotic nitrogen fixation or urease activity).

Roles and deficiency symptoms are diverse. Kasviravinne participate in key processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, enzyme activity, and structural development. Deficiencies or imbalances can cause chlorosis, necrosis, stunted growth, poor flowering, or reduced yield. Symptoms depend on whether the nutrient is mobile within the plant.

Supply and management: Availability in soil is influenced by pH, organic matter, texture, and mineral interactions. Fertilizers, soil amendments, or foliar applications are used to correct deficiencies and optimize nutrition, especially in intensive agriculture or controlled environments. Over-application can lead to toxicity and environmental concerns.

See also: Plant nutrition, Fertilizer, NPK, Soil science, Hydroponics.