NPK mengacu pada tiga makronutrien utama dalam pupuk atau larutan nutrisi apa pun: Nitrogen (N), Fosfor (P), dan Kalium (K). Rasio NPK yang tercetak pada botol nutrisi (misalnya, 3-1-2) menunjukkan persentase berat setiap elemen. Nitrogen mendorong pertumbuhan vegetatif berdaun, fosfor mendukung perkembangan akar dan pembungaan, dan kalium mengatur penyerapan air, ketahanan penyakit, dan kekuatan tanaman secara keseluruhan.
Fakta utama
- N (Nitrogen): essential for chlorophyll, proteins, and vegetative leaf growth
- P (Phosphorus): drives root development, flowering, and energy transfer (ATP)
- K (Potassium): regulates stomata, water uptake, enzyme activation, and disease resistance
- Ratio 3-1-2 is a common vegetative baseline; flowering stages often shift to lower N, higher P/K
- Deficiency symptoms are element-specific: yellow older leaves (N), purple tints (P), brown leaf edges (K)
- Hydroponic nutrient solutions must supply all three in precise ratios β soil buffers these naturally