nutrient cycle (mineral cycle) - a biogeochemical cycle, in which inorganic nutrients move through the soil, living organisms, air, and water, or through some of these (e.g. nitrogen as NO3 and NH4 et, mineraaltoiteained - anorgaanilised ühendid, mis sisaldavad taimede normaalseks kasvuks ja arenguks vajalikke keemilisi elemente. Toiteelemendid jaotatakse kontsentratsiooni järgi, milles nad on taime