What's the difference between fertilisers and nutrients?

Fertilisers and nutrients are related but distinct concepts in agriculture and horticulture. Fertilisers are a type of soil amendment that are used to add specific nutrients to the soil to improve plant growth. Fertilizers are typically manufactured products that contain a combination of essential plant nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), along with other micronutrients. Nutrients, on the other hand, are the elements or compounds that plants need to grow and thrive. These include not only the macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but also micronutrients such as iron, manganese, and zinc. Nutrients can be obtained by plants from the soil, from fertiliser applications, or from other sources. In other words, fertilisers are a source of nutrients for plants, but not all sources of nutrients for plants are fertilisers. Other sources of nutrients for plants can include decomposing organic matter, nutrient-rich water sources, and soil-based microorganisms. In conclusion, fertilisers are a type of product that are used to add specific nutrients to the soil, while nutrients are the essential elements or compounds that plants need to grow.