The document discusses mineral nutrition in plants. It states that plants need 17 essential elements for growth and completion of their lifecycle, including carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and others. These elements are absorbed from the soil mainly in ionic form. The elements are classified based on amount needed, mobility, chemical nature, and function. Nitrogen deficiency results in stunted growth and pale yellow leaves starting at tips due to reduced chlorophyll production and translocation of nitrogen to younger tissues.