While conventional agriculture seems stuck on clinging to its reverence for Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium, they’re missing the big picture in what our soil really needs for our farms to thrive. Are those nutrients important? Sure. But, the shortfalls and challenges of standard practices are evidence enough that we need something more.

We need knowledge coupled with resources.

Here, we offer both.

Keep reading to learn more about these key elements and why they’re so integral in our efforts to restore American soil.

(click any of the elements above to jump to your elected section)

Benefits

1. Improved soil fertility: Sulfur is an important component of soil organic matter, and its presence helps to improve soil structure and fertility.
2. Enhanced plant growth and development: Sulfur is essential for the synthesis of chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce energy.
3. Increased crop yields: Sulfur plays a vital role in the production of high-quality crops, and its presence can increase crop yields and improve the nutritional quality of crops.
4. Disease resistance: Sulfur helps plants to resist fungal and bacterial diseases by strengthening their cell walls and improving their immune systems.

Signs of Sulfur Deficiency

1. Chlorosis (yellowing) of leaves: A lack of sulfur can cause the leaves of plants to turn yellow, starting with the newer growth and progressing to the older leaves.
2. Stunted growth: Sulfur-deficient plants may be smaller than healthy plants, and may have a reduced number of leaves.
3. Delayed maturity: Sulfur-deficient plants may take longer to mature and produce fruit.
4. Reduced seed production: Sulfur-deficient plants may produce fewer seeds or have poor seed quality.
5. Susceptibility to disease: Sulfur-deficient plants are more susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases.

Benefits

1. Improved plant growth and development: Boron helps plants to grow and develop properly, improving their overall health and increasing their ability to withstand environmental stresses.
2. Increased crop yields: Boron is essential for the production of high-quality crops, and its presence can increase crop yields and improve the nutritional quality of crops.
3. Improved seed production: Boron plays a critical role in the development of reproductive structures, including flowers and fruit, and its presence can lead to improved seed production.
4. Increased disease resistance: Boron helps plants to resist fungal and bacterial diseases by strengthening their cell walls and improving their immune systems.

Signs of Boron Deficiency

1. Stunted growth: Boron-deficient plants may be smaller than healthy plants and may have a reduced number of leaves.
2. Distorted growth: Boron-deficient plants may exhibit distorted growth, including curled or twisted leaves, and deformed fruit or flowers.
3. Brown spots on leaves: Boron-deficient plants may develop brown spots on the leaves, which can eventually lead to necrosis (death of the tissue).
4. Poor fruit or seed development: Boron deficiency can lead to poor fruit or seed development, including fruit drop and poor seed germination.
5. Reduced disease resistance: Boron-deficient plants are more susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases, which can lead to reduced yields and poor crop quality.

Benefits

1. Improved plant growth and development: Copper helps plants to grow and develop properly, improving their overall health and increasing their ability to withstand environmental stresses.
2. Enhanced root growth: Copper is necessary for the growth and development of roots, which improves the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients from the soil.
3. Increased disease resistance: Copper helps plants to resist fungal and bacterial diseases by strengthening their cell walls and improving their immune systems.
4. Improved seed production: Copper plays a crucial role in the development of reproductive structures, including flowers and fruit, and its presence can lead to improved seed production.

Signs of Copper Deficiency

1. Chlorosis (yellowing) of leaves: A lack of copper can cause the leaves of plants to turn yellow, starting with the newer growth and progressing to the older leaves.
2. Stunted growth: Copper-deficient plants may be smaller than healthy plants, and may have a reduced number of leaves.
3. Wilting: Copper deficiency can cause plants to wilt, even when soil moisture levels are adequate.
4. Leaf deformities: Copper-deficient plants may exhibit distorted growth, including curled or twisted leaves.
5. Reduced disease resistance: Copper-deficient plants are more susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases, which can lead to reduced yields and poor crop quality.

Benefits

1. Improved plant growth and development: Zinc helps plants to grow and develop properly, improving their overall health and increasing their ability to withstand environmental stresses.
2. Enhanced root growth: Zinc is necessary for the growth and development of roots, which improves the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients from the soil.
3. Increased disease resistance: Zinc helps plants to resist fungal and bacterial diseases by strengthening their cell walls and improving their immune systems.
4. Improved seed production: Zinc plays a critical role in the development of reproductive structures, including flowers and fruit, and its presence can lead to improved seed production.

Signs of Zinc Deficiency

1. Chlorosis (yellowing) of leaves: A lack of zinc can cause the leaves of plants to turn yellow, starting with the newer growth and progressing to the older leaves.
2. Stunted growth: Zinc-deficient plants may be smaller than healthy plants, and may have a reduced number of leaves.
3. Leaf deformities: Zinc deficiency can cause plants to exhibit distorted growth, including curled or twisted leaves.
4. Delayed maturity: Zinc-deficient plants may take longer to mature and produce fruit.
5. Reduced disease resistance: Zinc-deficient plants are more susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases, which can lead to reduced yields and poor crop quality.

Benefits

1. Improved plant growth and development: Manganese helps plants to grow and develop properly, improving their overall health and increasing their ability to withstand environmental stresses.
2. Enhanced root growth: Manganese is necessary for the growth and development of roots, which improves the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients from the soil.
3. Increased disease resistance: Manganese helps plants to resist fungal and bacterial diseases by strengthening their cell walls and improving their immune systems.
4. Improved seed production: Manganese plays a critical role in the development of reproductive structures, including flowers and fruit, and its presence can lead to improved seed production.

Signs of Manganese Deficiency

1. Chlorosis (yellowing) of leaves: A lack of manganese can cause the leaves of plants to turn yellow, starting with the newer growth and progressing to the older leaves.
2. Interveinal chlorosis: Manganese deficiency can cause yellowing of the tissue between the veins of leaves, while the veins remain green.
3. Stunted growth: Manganese-deficient plants may be smaller than healthy plants, and may have a reduced number of leaves.
4. Leaf deformities: Manganese deficiency can cause plants to exhibit distorted growth, including curled or twisted leaves.
5. Reduced disease resistance: Manganese-deficient plants are more susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases, which can lead to reduced yields and poor crop quality.

Benefits

1. Improved plant growth and development: Iron helps plants to grow and develop properly, improving their overall health and increasing their ability to withstand environmental stresses.
2. Enhanced root growth: Iron is necessary for the growth and development of roots, which improves the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients from the soil.
3. Increased chlorophyll production: Iron is a key component of chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis and overall plant health.
4. Improved seed production: Iron plays a crucial role in the development of reproductive structures, including flowers and fruit, and its presence can lead to improved seed production.

Signs of Iron Deficiency

1. Chlorosis (yellowing) of leaves: A lack of iron can cause the leaves of plants to turn yellow, starting with the newer growth and progressing to the older leaves.
2. Interveinal chlorosis: Iron deficiency can cause yellowing of the tissue between the veins of leaves, while the veins remain green.
3. Stunted growth: Iron-deficient plants may be smaller than healthy plants, and may have a reduced number of leaves.
4. Leaf deformities: Iron deficiency can cause plants to exhibit distorted growth, including curled or twisted leaves.
5. Reduced chlorophyll production: Iron-deficient plants may have pale green leaves due to a lack of chlorophyll production, which can lead to reduced photosynthesis and poor plant growth.

Benefits

1. Improved plant growth and development: Magnesium helps plants to grow and develop properly, improving their overall health and increasing their ability to withstand environmental stresses.
2. Enhanced root growth: Magnesium is necessary for the growth and development of roots, which improves the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients from the soil.
3. Increased chlorophyll production: Magnesium is a key component of chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis and overall plant health.
4. Improved nutrient uptake: Magnesium helps plants to absorb other essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Signs of Magnesium Deficiency

1. Chlorosis (yellowing) of leaves: A lack of magnesium can cause the leaves of plants to turn yellow, starting with the older leaves and progressing to the newer growth.
2. Interveinal chlorosis: Magnesium deficiency can cause yellowing of the tissue between the veins of leaves, while the veins remain green.
3. Stunted growth: Magnesium-deficient plants may be smaller than healthy plants, and may have a reduced number of leaves.
4. Leaf deformities: Magnesium deficiency can cause plants to exhibit distorted growth, including curled or twisted leaves.
5. Reduced chlorophyll production: Magnesium-deficient plants may have pale green leaves due to a lack of chlorophyll production, which can lead to reduced photosynthesis and poor plant growth.