Differentiate the following terms
Macro and micro elements
Essential and beneficial elements
Cation and anaion
1. Macro and micro elements:
- Macro elements are nutrients that plants require in relatively large quantities, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Micro elements (or trace elements) are nutrients that plants require in smaller quantities, such as iron, manganese, and zinc.
2. Essential and beneficial elements:
- Essential elements are nutrients that are necessary for plant growth and development, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Beneficial elements are nutrients that can improve plant growth and health, but are not considered essential for basic plant functions. Examples include silicon and cobalt.
3. Cation and anion:
- Cations are positively charged ions, such as potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), and magnesium (Mg2+).
- Anions are negatively charged ions, such as nitrate (NO3-), phosphate (PO4^3-), and sulfate (SO4^2-).