Plants not only need light, water, and nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – amino acids also play a crucial role. These organic molecules are the building blocks of proteins and contribute significantly to plant growth, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance. But what exactly are amino acids, how are they produced by plants, and why are they a valuable ingredient in fertilizers?
What are amino acids?
Amino acids are organic substances composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Some also contain sulfur. They are the building blocks of proteins and are therefore vital for all living organisms, including plants. There are a total of 20 proteinogenic (protein-forming) amino acids found in living organisms.
How do plants produce amino acids?
Plants can produce all the amino acids they need themselves – unlike animals, which must obtain some essential amino acids from their diet. This is how the synthesis works:
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Nitrogen uptake: Plants absorb nitrogen from the soil, usually in the form of nitrate or ammonium.
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Conversion to ammonia: Nitrate is reduced to ammonia in the roots or leaves.
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Glutamate synthesis: The ammonia is linked to carbon compounds to form the first amino acid: glutamic acid.
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Formation of further amino acids: Various enzymatic processes produce further amino acids from glutamic acid.
Which ones are particularly important?
Some amino acids play a particularly important role in plant growth:
Glutamic acid & aspartic acid: Support nitrogen transport in the plant and improve photosynthesis.
Glycine & Proline: Increase stress resistance and help with dryness.
Arginine: Promotes root formation and cell division.
Serine & Threonine: Important for the formation of enzymes and structural proteins.
How do amino acids get into fertilizer?
Amino acids in fertilizers can come from different sources:
Plant origin
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Obtained from fermented plant materials.
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Proteins are broken down into their amino acids through enzymatic hydrolysis or microbial fermentation.
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Especially common in vegan or bio-based fertilizers.
- The FARBIO® organic liquid fertilizer for green plants provides your green roommates with important NPK nutrients and plant amino acids, which are important for healthy growth, strong leaves and well-developed roots.
Animal origin
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Obtained from by-products of the meat or leather industry.
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These hydrolyzed proteins are often found in organic fertilizers.
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FARBIO® Nitrogen Bio-Boost is a special liquid fertilizer. Its high nitrogen and amino acid content significantly accelerates the growth of all plant parts.
Synthetic production
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Some amino acids are also chemically synthesized, but this is not common in organic fertilizers.
Benefits: How do amino acids work in fertilizers?
Amino acids in fertilizers offer numerous benefits for plants:
Direct nutrient source: Plants can absorb amino acids directly and save energy during their own synthesis.
Improved nutrient absorption: They increase the efficiency of absorption of nutrients and trace elements.
Reduces abiotic stress: They help plants better survive drought, heat, cold and disease.
Optimizes soil or substrate: Amino acids serve as food for beneficial microorganisms that improve soil quality.
Discover liquid fertilizers from FARBIO®
Plants require amino acids as essential building blocks for growth and health. While plants can produce them themselves, fertilizers containing amino acids provide valuable support by conserving plant energy and optimizing growth—ideal for houseplants and garden plants!
