Nitrogen
Nitrogen is an important component of amino acids and proteins, which are the basic building blocks of all living matter – both plant and animal. Nitrogen-deficient plants normally show a pale-yellowish color (Chlorosis), which results from a shortage of Chlorophyll in the plant’s “solar collection cells.” A rough rule of thumb is that, based on the yield level, 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of actual nitrogen (N) are required for each bushel of corn produced. More N is normally required per bushel on the silty clays and clays (Table 4-3) than on the sandy loams and silt loam soils (Table 4-4).