A mineral element is considered to plant growth and development if the element is involved in plant metabolic functions and the plant cannot complete its life cycle without the element. Essential Elements are Necessary for normal growth and development but Non Essential Elements Not Necessary for normal growth and development. Totally 17 elements are essential for plants. The detection of deficiencies and toxicity of particular mineral nutrient element has enabled us to make adequate soil amendments for better plant growth. Physiological disorders of many crops such as rice, pulses and oil seeds have been successfully corrected by using minerals. Это и многое другое вы найдете в книге Plant Mineral Nutrition (Krishnakumar Srinivasagam and Krishna Surendar)