In Dr Patrick Brown’s presentation in  an IFS webinar on 25 January he proposed a new definition of ‘What is  a Plant Nutrient’. This is that: 'a mineral plant nutrient is an element which is essential or beneficial for plant growth and development, or for the quality attributes of the plant or harvested product, of a given plant species, grown in its natural or cultivated environment.'

(A plant nutrient may be considered essential if the life cycle of a diversity of plant species cannot be completed in the absence of the element. A plant nutrient may be considered beneficial if it does not meet the criteria of essentiality, but can be shown to benefit plant growth and development or the quality attributes of a plant or its harvested product.)

Further he proposed that the International Plant Nutrition Council in collaboration with the IFA should produce a positive list of currently accepted essential and beneficial elements.  In the interim the latest edition of Marschner (2023) should stand as the accepted global guideline.

It would be most helpful to Dr Brown and the IFA if you would complete this short survey covering your opinion about this new definition - whether or not you attended or viewed his presentation.