CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL 1. Macroelements in Soil · Macroelements are the most important nutrients for plants. · Macroelements occur naturally in the soil to some extent and can be supplemented with fertilizers, manure and compost. · Macroelements are Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S), Phosphate (P), Nitrogen (N) and Sodium (Na). 2. Microelements in Soil · Trace elements are nutrients that plants need in small doses. · The trace elements are Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), Silicon (Si), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) and Molybdenum (Mo). · Signs of shortage occur when the disappearance of trace elements through the crops is not compensated adequately with supplements by means of fertilizer, manure or compost, or when the...