Mineral Nutrition in Plants

F.Y. B.Sc. Botany What is plant nutrition ! The supply and absorption of chemical compounds needed for growth and metabolism may be defined as plant nutrition and the chemical compounds needed to survive or necessary for the synthesis of organic compounds is termed as nutrient. Plants use inorganic minerals for nutrition. Roots absorb mineral nutrients as ions in soil water. Many factors influence nutrient uptake for plants. Ions can be readily available to roots or could be "tied up" by other elements or the soil itself. Essential mineral element: Arnon and Stout (1939) concluded three criteria must be met for an element to be considered essential. These criteria are: 1. A plant must be unable to complete its life cycle in the absence of the mineral element. 2. The function of the element must not be replaceable by another mineral element. 3. The element must be directly involved in plant metabolism. According to Epstein (1971), an element can be considered to be essential for plant growth if: 1. a plant fails to complete its life cycle without it; 2. its action is specific and cannot be replaced completely by any other element; 3. its effect on the organism is direct, not indirect on the environment; 4. it is a constituent of a molecule that is known to be essential. Micro and Macro nutrients: Depending upon the element concentration in plant tissue, the plant nutrients have been classified in to two categories: 1. Macronutrients: The essential elements which are required by plants in comparatively large amount are called as major elements or macronutrients. Their concentration may be upto 1 mg/g dry weight. Macro plant nutrients are: C, H, O,N, P,K, Ca, S, Mg, Fe 2. Micronutrients: The essential elements which are required in very small quantity or traces by the plants are called micronutrients. Their concentration in plant tissues is generally less than 100 micro grams/g dry weight.

Role of Essential Nutrients in Plant Growth: 1. Constituents of protoplasm and Cell Walls C, H, O, N, S and P are extremely important and permanent constituents of the protoplasm and the cell wall. C, H, O, form most of the part of plant body. N is important constituent element of proteins and nucleic acids, S of proteins and P of nucleic acids, besides these, Mg is an important constituent of chlorophylls while Ca is present in cell wall in the form of calcium pactate. 2. Influence on the osmotic pressure of plant cells Osmotic pressure and other osmotic relations of the plant cells are maintained due to presence of organic compounds and mineral salts dissolved in cell sap. 3. Catalytic Functions Many elements like Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, Mg, Mn, Ca etc are required in catalytic activity of enzymes. These enzymes may be a part of prosthetic group of enzymes or co-enzymes, or may act as activators. 4. Antagonistic or Balancing function Some elements like Ca, Mg, K etc., counteract, the toxic effect of other mineral elements by maintaining ionic balance. Specific Roles of Plant Nutrients Macro Nutrients 1. Nitrogen: - It is a major component of proteins, hormones, chlorophyll, vitamins and enzymes essential for plant life. - Porphyrins important part of chlorophyll and cytochromes contain nitrogen - Nitrogen metabolism is a major factor in stem and leaf growth (vegetative growth). 2. Phosphorus : - Being part of nucleic acids, phospholipids, Co-enzymes NAD, NADP, ATP etc, it is necessary for seed germination, photosynthesis, protein formation and almost all aspects of growth and metabolism in plants. 3. Potassium: - It is necessary for formation of sugars, starches, carbohydrates, protein synthesis and cell division in roots and other parts of the plant. - It helps to adjust water balance, improves stem rigidity and stress tolerance, enhances flavor and color on fruit and vegetable crops. 4. Sulpher: - Sulfur is a structural component of amino acids, proteins, vitamins and enzymes and is essential to produce chlorophyll. - Disulphide linkages in proteins stabilizes them specially important for enzymes structures. 5. Magnesium: - It is a critical structural component of the chlorophyll molecule - It is necessary for functioning of plant enzymes to produce carbohydrates, sugars and fats.

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It is essential for germination of seeds. Calcium: Calcium activates many enzymes It is a structural component of cell walls Influences water movement in cells and is necessary for cell growth and division. It also helps in stabilizing the structure of chromosomes

Micronutrients: 1. 2. 3. Iron : It is necessary for many enzyme functions and as a catalyst for the synthesis of chlorophyll. Manganese: It is involved in enzyme activity for photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen metabolism. It is very important for photolysis of water (evolution of oxygen) in photosynthesis. Boron: It is necessary for cell wall formation, membrane integrity, calcium uptake and may aid in the translocation of sugars. - Boron affects flowering, pollen germination, fruiting, cell division, water relationships and the movement of hormones. 4. Zinc: - It is a activator/component of large number of enzymes and plant hormones including auxins. - It is essential to carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis and internodal elongation (stem growth). 5. Copper - It plays a part in nitrogen metabolism. - It is a component of several enzymes and may be part of the enzyme systems that use carbohydrates and proteins. 6. Molybdenum - It is a structural component of the nitrogenase, an important enzyme for nitrogen fixation. - Without it, the synthesis of proteins is blocked and plant growth ceases. Deficiency Symptoms of Various Plant nutrients: Deficiency Symptoms of Macronutrients 1. 2. Nitrogen: Deficiencies can reduce yields, cause yellowing of the leaves Stunted plant growth. Deficiency also causes Anthocyanin accumulation Phosphorus: Deficiency symptoms are purple stems and leaves; maturity and growth are retarded. Yields of fruit and flowers are poor. Premature leaf fall, drop of fruits and flowers may often occur. Older leaves are affected first. Leave may turn dark blue or brown

3. Potassium: - Deficiencies result in low yields, mottled, spotted or curled leaves, scorched or burned look to leaves. 4. Sulfur : - Deficiencies causes yellowing (or chlorosis) of leaves. The younger leaves are affected first. - Tips and margins of the leaf roll inward. - Stem become hard due to the development of sclerenchyma 5. Magnesium - Deficient plants appear chlorotic, show yellowing between veins of older leaves. - Leaves may droop - Dead necrotic patches appear on the leaves 6. Calcium: - Deficiency causes stunting of new growth in stems, flowers and roots. - Symptoms range from distorted new growth to black spots on leaves and fruit. - Younger leaves may also develop chlorotic patches. - Yellow leaf margins may also appear. Deficiency Symptoms of Micronutrients 1. Iron: - Deficiencies are pale leaf color of young leaves followed by yellowing of leaves and large veins. - Interveinal chlorosis 2. Manganese: - Deficiency in young leaves may show a network of green veins on a light green background similar to an iron deficiency. In the advanced stages the light green parts become white, and leaves are shed. 3. Boron: - Deficiencies kill terminal buds leaving a rosette effect on the plant. - Leaves are thick, curled and brittle. Fruits, tubers and roots are discolored, cracked with brown spots. 4. Zinc: - Deficient plants have mottled leaves with irregular chlorotic areas. - Zinc deficiency leads to iron deficiency causing similar symptoms. 5. Copper: - Deficiencies cause die back of the shoot tips, and terminal leaves develop brown spots. 6. Molybdenum: - The synthesis of proteins is blocked and plant growth ceases. - Seeds may not form completely and nitrogen deficiency may occur if plants are lacking molybdenum. - Deficiency signs are pale green leaves with rolled or cupped margins.