A nutrient is a substance of chemical nature. It is needed by organisms for the purpose of carrying out activities of life. Green plants capture solar energy using chlorophyll in their leaves. Photosynthesis is the chemical process by which producers capture light energy from the sun and absorb nutrients and water through their roots. Therefore, plants need to get fluids and nutrients from the ground up through their stems to different parts that are above ground level.

The chemical equation is:

[carbon dioxide + water + sunlight yields sugar (food) and oxygen]

Nutrients act as second energy source for plants growth. They obtain these 16 essential macronutrients and micronutrients from air, water, and soil. Hydrogen, oxygen and carbon are consumed from air and water. Major portion of nutrients come from soil.