The main components of plant ash: potassium carbonate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, boron, sulfur, iron, manganese, molybdenum, silicon, copper, and sodium.
Plant ash, as a fertilizer often used in traditional agriculture in my country, its main ingredients include potassium carbonate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, boron, sulfur, iron, manganese, molybdenum, silicon, copper and sodium and other minerals. These ingredients play an integral role in plant growth.
Explanation:
First of all, potassium carbonate in plant ash is the most abundant component. It is a strong base and weak acid salt. It will hydrolyze in water to form potassium hydroxide and carbonic acid, so it is alkaline. This kind of alkalinity is very beneficial for adjusting the pH of the soil, especially in acidic soil. Potassium carbonate can neutralize the acidity and transform the soil into a neutral or slightly alkaline direction.
Secondly, potassium is one of the three elements required for plant growth. It is mainly found in the xylem of plants and is an essential element for plants to carry out photosynthesis and other life activities. Potassium can promote the strength of plant stems, enhance the plant's stress resistance, and improve the plant's resistance to diseases and insect pests.
In addition, plant ash also contains other minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, boron, and sulfur. These minerals also play a vital role in plant growth.
For example, calcium is the main component of plant cell walls and can enhance cell stability; phosphorus is a component element of many important compounds in plants and participates in many important metabolic processes in plants; magnesium is chlorophyll A component of sulfur, which is indispensable for photosynthesis; sulfur is an element necessary for the synthesis of proteins and other important sulfur-containing compounds.
In addition, plant ash also contains small amounts of trace elements such as iron, manganese, molybdenum, silicon, copper and sodium. Although these elements are present in smaller quantities, they are also essential for plant growth. For example, iron is a component of various enzymes in plants and participates in photosynthesis and respiration of plants; manganese and copper participate in some redox reactions in plants; silicon can enhance plants' resistance to diseases and insect pests.
In general, the main components of plant ash are very rich, not only a large amount of potassium carbonate and potassium elements, but also calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and other minerals and trace elements. These ingredients work together to provide comprehensive nutritional support for plant growth.