Differences between Major Nutrients and Minor Nutrients

Major nutrients are nutrients in the soil that are required by plants in large quantities. Plants therefore depend mainly on these nutrients. They are also usually present in abundance in the soil.

Examples of major nutrients are:

Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorus (P)
Potassium (K)
Magnesium (Mg)
Calcium (Ca)
Hydrogen (H)

Minor nutrients: They are nutrients found in the soil that are required by plants in tiny quantities. When they are supplied in large quantities it might be detrimental to the plants.

Examples are;

Cobalt (Co)
Iron (Fe)
Copper (Cu)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Zinc (Zn)
Manganese (Mn)
Sodium (Na)
Boron (B)
Aluminum (Al)
Chlorine (Cl)