Balanced plant nutrition: From functional deficiency to a systematic strategy for increasing crop yields: Literature review

The aim of this study was to substantiate the functional hierarchy of nutrients and develop an applied biochemical model for optimising nutrient management in plants. The research methodology combined a comprehensive analysis of international and national scientific sources with systematisation of biochemical interactions among macro- and microelements. It was found that nutrient uptake and activation in plants follow a specific biochemical sequence, in which sulphur, boron, silicon, and calcium serve as initiating elements that activate metabolic pathways, enabling efficient nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus, carbon, and potassium assimilation. The study analysed the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of nutrient interrelations and demonstrated that this sequential activation ensures a balance between structural development, photosynthetic activity, and stress tolerance. It was established that the efficiency of metabolic processes directly depends on the synchronisation of elemental uptake according to plant growth phases. The research generalised experimental and theoretical data on the role of calcium in transport and signalling, sulphur in protein synthesis, silicon in cell strengthening, and boron in reproductive development. Based on these findings, a functional biochemical model was developed, showing how consistent nutrient activation improves crop productivity and enhances resilience under environmental stress. The model was applied to analyse nutrient dynamics in Sorghum bicolor and Triticum spelta, revealing that maintaining this sequence ensures metabolic stability and sustainable soil fertility. The practical significance of the study lies in its applicability for agronomists, soil scientists, and researchers in plant physiology, as well as for agricultural enterprises seeking to improve nutrient management efficiency, optimise fertilisation strategies, and increase crop productivity under sustainable farming systems