Nitrogen is one of the 16 elements necessary for plant growth and production.
Called a macronutrient, nitrogen is absorbed into the plant from the soil or through foliage. Nitrogen deficiency can be identified as a yellowing of lower leaves on a plant.
Too much watering or rainfall can leach nitrogen from the soil. Too much nitrogen results in succulent growth, dark green color, weak and spindly stems, and low or no fruit production. Too little nitrogen causes reduced growth and yellowing of leaves (chlorosis). Red and purples may also intensify in some plants.
Nitrogen deficiency can be reversed by applying a nitrate-based fertilizer.
The copyright of the article What is Nitrogen? in Desert Gardens is owned by Robert Dailey. Permission to republish What is Nitrogen? must be granted by the author in writing.
