If a fertilizer ratio is 5-10-15, what element does the number 10 represent?

In a fertilizer ratio such as 5-10-15, the numbers represent the relative percentages of the three primary nutrients found in fertilizers: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The first number corresponds to the nitrogen content, the second number represents the phosphorus content, and the third number indicates the potassium content.

In this case, the number 10, being the second in the sequence, denotes the phosphorus content of the fertilizer. Phosphorus is crucial for several key processes in plants, especially for energy transfer, photosynthesis, and nutrient movement within the plant. It promotes root development, flowering, and overall plant health. Therefore, understanding that the value of 10 corresponds to phosphorus helps clarify its critical role in the effectiveness of the fertilizer.

The other elements listed, like nitrogen, potassium, and calcium, are part of the broader nutrient composition but do not correspond to the number 10 in this specific ratio.