Inorganic compounds form the majority of the soil solution. They are divided into macronutrients and micronutrients.

The macronutrients plants require are carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. The combination of organic compounds, along with water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight, produce the energy that allows plants to grow.

soil — outer loose layer that covers the surface of Earth. macronutrient — nutrient that is required in large amounts for plant growth; carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. inorganic compound — chemical compound that does not contain carbon; it is not part of or produced by a living organism. macronutrients plants require — carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.