Growers can combine their fertilizer applications with plant bio stimulants—a tool for sustainable agriculture. Plant bio stimulants are products that contain substances or micro-organisms that stimulate the natural processes of plants and soils that lead to benefits such as better nutrient uptake, more resistance to abiotic stress such as high temperatures, and improved yield and crop quality.

A fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients (food for the plant). These are used by the farmers daily to increase the crop yield. Fertilizers are distinct from liming materials or other non-nutrient soil / growth amendments. Many sources of fertilizer exist, both natural and industrially produced. Modern agricultural fertilization practices, focus on the three main macro nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) with occasional addition of supplements for the secondary and micronutrients. Farmers apply these fertilizers in a variety of ways: through dry or pelletized or liquid application processes, using large agricultural equipment or hand-tool methods.

Fertilizers enhance the growth of plants supplying nutrients to plants. Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions:

• Nitrogen (N): leaf growth
• Phosphorus (P): development of roots, flowers, seeds, fruit.
• Potassium (K): strong stem growth, movement of water in plants, promotion of flowering and fruiting.
• Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S); and
• Micronutrients: copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), boron (B) and silicon (Si).

The nutrients required for healthy plant life are classified according to the elements, but the elements are not used as fertilizers. Instead, compounds containing these elements are the basis of fertilizers.

Plants are made up of four main elements: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are widely available as water and carbon dioxide. Nitrogen is the most important fertilizer since nitrogen is present in proteins, DNA and other components (e.g. chlorophyll).

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Plants can make their own food by capturing the energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar. But, to stay healthy and bear flowers and fruit, they take additional nutrients out of the soil. Seventeen chemical elements are known to be important to a plant’s growth and survival. Understanding each nutrient’s role and value will ensure your crops will thrive, producing maximum yields. Optimal yields can only be produced when all these nutrients are in proper supply. If just one nutrient is lacking in the soil, crop yields will suffer.

The 17 chemical elements are divided into two main groups: non-mineral and mineral:

Non-Mineral Nutrients

The non-mineral nutrients are hydrogen (H), oxygen (O) and carbon (C) which are found in the air and water. Through photosynthesis (meaning “making from light”), plants use the energy from the sun to change carbon dioxide (CO₂ – carbon and oxygen) and water (H₂O – hydrogen and oxygen) into starches and sugars. These starches and sugars are the plant’s food (and a lot of them are our food).

Since plants get carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from the air and water, there is little farmers can do to control how much of these nutrients a plant can use.

Mineral Nutrients

The 14 mineral nutrients, which come from the soil, are dissolved in water and absorbed through a plant’s roots. There are not always enough of these nutrients in the soil for a plant to grow healthy. This is why many farmers use fertilizers to add the nutrients to the soil.

The mineral nutrients are divided into two groups:

Macronutrients and micronutrients (also called trace elements). These terms are not based on the importance of the nutrients, but rather the amount of the nutrients needed by the plant. Macronutrients are needed in much greater quantities than micronutrients.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients can be broken into two more groups:

Primary and secondary nutrients

The primary nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These major nutrients usually are lacking from the soil first because plants use large amounts for their growth and survival.

The secondary nutrients are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulphur (S). There are usually enough of these nutrients in the soil, so fertilization is not always needed. In addition, usually sufficient amounts of calcium and magnesium are added when lime is applied to acidic soils. Sulphur can be found in sufficient amounts from the slow decomposition of soil organic matter but is often neglected and can have a big impact on crop quality.

Micronutrients

Plants need micronutrients in very small (micro) quantities, but they are still essential for plant health and growth. The micronutrients are boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chloride (Cl), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni).

Plant Nutrient Functions in the Plant

Macronutrients:

Nitrogen (N)

• Nitrogen is a part of all living cells and is a necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy.
• Nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll, the green pigment of the plant that is responsible for photosynthesis (creating energy from sunlight and CO₂).
• Helps plants with rapid growth, increasing seed and fruit production and improving the quality of leaf and forage crops.

Phosphorus (P)

• Like nitrogen, phosphorus is an essential part of the process of photosynthesis.

• Involved in the formation of all oils, sugars, starches, etc.
• Helps with the transformation of solar energy into chemical energy; proper plant maturation; withstanding stress.
• Effects rapid growth.
• Encourages blooming and root growth.

Potassium (K)

• Potassium is absorbed by plants in larger amounts than any other mineral element except nitrogen and, in some cases, calcium.
• Helps in the building of protein, photosynthesis, fruit quality and reduction of diseases.
• Involved in opening of stomata

Calcium (Ca)

• Calcium, an essential part of plant cell wall structure, provides for normal transport and retention of other elements as well as strength in the plant.
• It is also thought to counteract the effect of alkali salts and organic acids within a plant.

Magnesium (Mg)

• Magnesium is part of the chlorophyll in all green plants and essential for photosynthesis.
• It also helps activate many plant enzymes needed for growth.

Sulphur (S)

• Essential plant food for production of protein.
• Promotes activity and development of enzymes and vitamins.
• Helps in chlorophyll formation.
• Improves root growth and seed production.
• Helps with vigorous plant growth and resistance to cold.

Micronutrients:

Boron (B)

• Helps in the use of nutrients and regulates other nutrients.
• Aids production of sugar and carbohydrates.
• Essential for seed and fruit development during pollination

Copper (Cu)

• Important for reproductive growth.
• Aids in root metabolism and helps in the utilization of proteins.

Chloride (Cl)

• Aids plant metabolism.
• Chloride is found in the soil.

Iron (Fe)

• Essential for formation of chlorophyll.
• Iron is required for metabolic functions related to respiration.

Manganese (Mn)

• Functions with enzyme systems involved in breakdown of carbohydrates, and nitrogen metabolism.
• Manganese is important for plant defense.

Molybdenum (Mo)

• Helps in the utilisation of nitrogen

Zinc (Zn)

• Essential for the transformation of carbohydrates.
• Regulates consumption of sugars.
• Part of the enzyme systems that regulate plant growth.

 Nickel (Ni)

• Nickel is a key component of selected enzymes involved in N metabolism and biological N fixation.
• Nickel is the most recently discovered micronutrient; it is required in small amounts by plants.
• Leguminous crops like bean and cowpea require more Ni than other crops because nickel plays an important role in nodulation and N fixation.

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A major agricultural breakthrough is underway in South Africa, as SUISO launched a $1.7 billion (about R31.5 billion) coal-to-fertiliser initiative in Kriel, Mpumalanga. This ambitious project is poised to significantly boost food security in sub-Saharan Africa by enhancing local fertiliser production and reducing reliance on costly imports.

Sub-Saharan Africa, home to over a billion people, currently has only five fertiliser plants, a stark contrast to China’s 277 plants serving a population of 1.4 billion.

This disparity highlights the urgent need for local fertiliser production to support the region’s growing agricultural demands.

SUISO’s new facility aims to bridge this gap by producing 1.5 million tonnes of nitrogen-based fertilisers annually, including urea and controlled-release variants. The impact on South Africa’s maize production – currently at 15-17 million tonnes per year – could be transformative, significantly increasing yields and bolstering food security.

Workers at the SUISO facility in Mpumalanga, where 4 000 jobs are being created during construction, with nearly 1 000 permanent positions by 2029. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Economic benefits for farmers

South Africa’s maize industry, valued at R46.3 billion, is projected to grow to R55.6 billion by 2029. By replacing 1.2 million tonnes of imported urea fertiliser annually, SUISO’s project will protect farmers from volatile global supply chains while ensuring more affordable and reliable access to fertilisers.

Located on a 900-hectare site with integrated feedstock and production facilities, the SUISO plant is designed to minimise logistical costs, further enhancing its affordability for local farmers.

These include advanced decarbonisation and carbon capture techniques, as well as PurActive coatings for controlled-release fertilisers. These innovations optimise nitrogen use efficiency, increasing yields by up to 5% while minimising waste and environmental impact.

SUISO’s facility will leverage state-of-the-art technologies with a track record spanning 830 reference plants worldwide.

In addition, the facility will produce 234,000 tonnes of clean, zero-sulphur blue methanol annually, aligning with the forthcoming South African Fuel Act of 2027.

Job creation and skills development

Beyond agriculture, SUISO’s investment will stimulate local economic development. The construction phase alone will generate 4 000 jobs, with 981 permanent positions once the facility is fully operational in 2029.

To support workforce development, the onsite Gerhard Potgieter Engineering Training College will train and upskill 400 employees, ensuring long-term skills sustainability in the industry.

Global trading giant ETG (Export Trading Group) will serve as SUISO’s exclusive offtaker, guaranteeing that fertiliser produced in Mpumalanga reaches the most vulnerable regions of sub-Saharan Africa. This partnership is said to directly support smallholder farmers, empowering them to improve crop yields and secure their livelihoods.

By Ivor Price

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