Plants require Nitrogen (chemical symbol N) to grow their roots, stalks and vines. Nitrogen must be available continuously to feed the development of grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables essential to human nutrition. In a very real sense, N is necessary for all forms of plant and animal life. There is no substitute for it. Nitrogen is truly a superstar in food production.
Nitrogen is a part of all proteins, animal and plant. That means it is vital to the human diet. Also, N is a component of RNA and DNA, the "blueprints" which pass genetic characteristics from one generation to the next. The very survival of humans, then, is dependent on the abundant presence of N in nature.
An early sign of N deficiency in plants is the development of a pale yellowish-green colour in the leaves. This symptom is the result of a slowdown in chlorophyll production. Nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll, so it is essential in its manufacture. Why is the production of chlorophyll so important? Because photosynthesis, the basic food production process in green plants, is dependent on the presence of chlorophyll. So, life can’t proceed without N. That makes it a very important plant food.
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