Nutrients For Plant

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Nutrients For Plant

Important Nutrients For Plant

At least 60 elements are present in plants out of which only 17 are essential for plants.
Ni is 17^th essential element known in 1987.
Functional nutrients is 21(17 Essential + 4 Beneficial)
Nicholas (1961) proposed the term Functional nutrients

Essential element – (Criteria of essentiality proposed by Arnon and stout in 1939 which was refined by arnon in 1954)

In the absence of that element, plants is not able to complete its life cycle
The element should not be substituted by other element
Element should form a part of any molecule or constituent of the plant.

Beneficial element –They do not form the constituent of plant can grow without it but if present it is advantageous to the plant

CLASSIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
Based on the relative Quantity that is normally present in Plants

Macro nutrients (Major Nutrients/primary nutrients):- C, H, O, N, P, K (>100 μg/g dry matter)
Secondary nutrients:- Ca, Mg, S
Micro Nutrients (Minor/Tertiary/Trace elements):- Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B, Cl,Ni (100 μg/ g dry mater)
Beneficial elements:- Co, Si, V, Na

Based on their Chemical Nature

Metals:- K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Co and V etc.
Non-Metals:- C, H, O, N, P, S, B, etc.
Cations:- NH₄⁺_, K⁺_, Ca₂⁺_, Fe₂⁺, Mg₂⁺_, Mn₂⁺_, Cu₂⁺, Zn₂⁺, Ni₂⁺
Anions:- NO₃⁻, HPO₄²⁻, H₂PO⁴⁻, SO₄²⁻, BO₃³⁻, MoO₄²⁻, C1⁻ etc.

Based on General Function

Organic or inorganic compounds:– N, S, P, Ca, B, Fe and Mg.
As an activator, co factor in prosthetic group of enzyme systems:– K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mo, Na and Cl.
As a charge carrier in oxidation:– reduction reactions–P, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Mo.
As an osmosis regulator and for electron chemical equilibrium in cells– K, Na & Cl.

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

When nutrient is not present in sufficient quantity, plant growth is
affected. Plants may not show visual symptoms up to a certain
level of nutrient content, but growth is affected and this situation
is known as hidden hunger

Mobility of nutrients:-

Nutrient Mobility concept is given by R. Bray

Mobility in plants:-

Deficiency Symptoms on leaves		Action
Older leaves – N, P, K, Mg & Mo		Mobile
New leaves – S, Fe, Mn & Cu		Moderately Mobile
Both Older leaves & New leaves – Zn		Less mobile
Apical buds – Ca and B		Immobile

1. Mobile nutrients:- N, P, K, Mg and Mo

Deficiency symptoms appear on lower leaves or older leaves.
In K and Mo deficiency dead spots occur on lower leaves.
In Mg deficiency veins remain green.
In N deficiency veins are yellow.

2. Moderately mobile:- Zn

3. Less mobile elements like:- S, Fe, Mn and Cu

Deficiency symptoms appear on new leaves.
In Fe and Mn deficiency veins are green.
In S and Cu deficiency veins are yellow.

4. Immobile nutrients:- Ca and B

Deficiency symptoms appear on terminal buds.
Mobility in soil:-

1. Mobile nutrients:- Such elements are highly soluble and are not adsorbed on clay complex e.g NO₃^–, So₄^2-, Bo₃^3-, Mn₂⁺, Cl^–

2. Less mobile:- Such elements are also soluble but adsorbed on clay complex and thus their mobility reduced e g. NH₄⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu ²⁺

3. Immobile:- highly reactive and get fixed in the soil e-g. H₂PO₄^–, HPO₄^2-, Zn²⁺

Nutrient	*Mobility in soil*
NO₃^–, So₄^2-, Bo₃^3-, Mn₂⁺, Cl^–	Mobile
NH₄⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu ²⁺	Less mobile
H₂PO₄^–, HPO₄^2-, Zn²⁺	Immobile

Deficiency symptoms

Nitrogen (N)

Uniform yellowing of lower leaves including veins.
Leaves become stiff and erect in cereals
Shedding of leaves & fruits
Growth of plant is stunted
Cereal crops show characteristic ‘V’ shaped yellowing at the tip of lower leaves

Phosphorus(P)

Lower leaves unusually dark green.
Rear side of leaf develops bronzy appearance.
Delay in maturity.

Potassium(Calcium) (K)

Leaf scorching” (or) popularly known as “tip burning”.
Reduced crop yields without the appearance of definite symptoms is called “hidden hunger”.
Rosette, die back in plants

Calcium (Ca)

Bud leaf becomes chlorotic white with the base remaining green
About one-third chlorotic portion of the tip hooks downward and becomes brittle
Terminal bud dies.

Magnesium(Mg)

Causes yellowing but differs from nitrogen like yellowing takes place between veins and veins remain green
Leaf detaches very easily and may be shed by blowing wind
Necrosis occurs in extreme cases only in the margins
Older leaves affected Cholorosis

Sulphur (S)

New leaf becomes yellowish & looks like nitrogen deficient leaf
Downward cupping of leaves e.g. tobacco, Tea.

Manganese (Mn)

Veins remain green, Principal veins as well as smaller veins are green
Interveinal portion is yellowish, not tending towards whiteness
Dead spots appear at later stage
Chequered appearance of the leaf

Iron (Fe)

Veins remain green, Principal veins remain conspicuously green and other portions of the leaf turn yellow tending towards whiteness
Under severe deficiency, most part of the leaf becomes white

Molybdenum(Mo)

Translucent spots of irregular shape in between the veins of leaves
Affected spots are impregnated with resinous gum which exudes from rear side of the leaf
Petiole of the leaves remain intact but shedding of margin and other part of leaves

Copper (Cu)

Leaf is yellowish tending towards whiteness
Leaf is unable to retain its turgidity hence wilting occurs
Leaf detaches due to water soaked conditions of the base of petiole

Zinc (Zn)

White leaf become rusty-brown in colour
In cereals deficiency appears on 2-4 leaves from the top during vegetative stage
Plants appear bushy due to reduced internodal elongation
Panicle fails to emerge completely or emerges partially

Boron (B)

Tip becomes very much elongated into a whip like structure and becomes brownish or blackish brown
Death of terminal bud occurs in extreme cases
results in empty pollen grains, poor pollen vitality and a reduced number of flowers per plant.

Function of Essential Nutrients in Plants

Deficiency symptoms

Carbon

After the Photosynthesis make carbohydrates.
44% of the Plants dry weight is made of carbon.

Oxygen

Participate in photosynthesis and respiration process.
40% of the Plants dry weight is made of Oxygen.

Hydrogen

For making food material (carbohydrates).
8% of the Plants dry weight is made of hydrogen.

Nitrogen

King of plant nutrients.
Nitrogen absorb by leaf in amide form.
Impart dark green color to plant, encourage vegetative growth.
Nitrogen is essential constituent of protein.
Improves quality and succulence crops and vegetables.

Phosphorous

P is known as “key of life” and “energy currency”
Second important plant nutrient after nitrogen
Enhance new cell formation and necessary for root development.
Most essential function is energy storage and transfer of energy (ADP to ATP).
Require for grain formation and maturity of grain.
P is essential constitute of nucleic acid and phytin.
Enhance the activity of rhizobia and root nodules.

Potassium(Calcium) (K)

Also knows as “Traffic Policemen”.
Most essential function of K is stomata regulation.
Provide disease resistance in plant.
Co factors for enzymes.
Responsible for quality product.
Formation and translocation of sugar.
Helps in chlorophyll formation.
In plants K also reduce the transpiration rate and increase photosynthetic rate because it is stress avoider.
K increasé size of fruit and give the attractive appearance
Prevent fruit drop.

Calcium (Ca)

It is immobile in plants and exists as deposits of calcium oxalate, calcium pectate in the middle lamella of cell wall and CaC0₃and CaPO₄in cell vacuoles.
It is a constituent of the cell wall and promotes early root development.
It is required for cell divisions and chromosome stability, cell wall construction, cell elongation of the shoot and root.
Stabilizing the pectin of the middle lamella in the cell wall by forming calcium pectate. Thus Ca brings resistance against diseases.
Effect on fruit quality and increases in the firmness of the fruit.
Indirectly influences many enzyme systems and maintain cation- anion balance (by acting as a counter ion).

Magnesium (Mg)

Mg is a constituent of the chlorophyll molecule and located at its center, without which photosynthesis by plants would not occur.
It is involved in the regulation of cellular pH,cation-anion balance and turgur regulation of cells.
Necessary for protein synthesis.
Activator of enzymes in carbohydrate and ATP metabolism.
Essential for the formation of oils and fats
It is required for stabilization of cell membranes.

Sulphur (S)

Required for synthesis of the S-containing amino acids like cystine, cysteine and methionine, which are important for protein synthesis.
Role in photosynthesis is by involving in structural formation of chlorophyll in leaves.
It is a constituent of proteins and volatile compounds responsible for the characteristic taste & smell of plants in the mustard and onion families.
It enhances oil synthesis in crops
It is a vital part of Ferrodoxins (Non Heme iron, sulfur protein), S- adenosyl methionine.

Manganese (Mn)

It is trans located to the different plant parts where it is most needed.
Involved in oxidation-reduction reactions and electron transport in photosystem II
It is directly or indirectly involved in chloroplast formation and their multiplication.
It activates large number of enzymes and acts as a co-factor and catalyses most of the enzymes
It helps in movement of Iron.

Iron (Fe)

It is the first micro nutrient to be discovered as an essential element for plant life.
Iron present in chloroplasts as a “ferrodoxin” compound.
Plants obtain as Fe2+ and Fe3+ forms and also as chelated Fe form.
Involved in biosynthesis of chlorophyll and in the synthesis of chloroplast proteins
Activates several enzymes involved in respiration.
It brings about oxidation-reduction reactions in the plant.
It regulates respiration, photosynthesis, reduction of nitrates and sulphates.

Molybdenum(Mo)

It is structural components of Nitrogenous enzyme and constituent of nitrate reductase
Essential role in iron absorption and translocation in plants, protein synthesis and N Fixation in legumes.
Brings oxidation and reduction reactions especially in the reduction of NO₃ to NH_4.
It acts as a bridge or link in transferring electrons
Role in phosphate system and ascorbic acid synthesis.

Copper (Cu)

Copper salts are poisonous even in exceedingly small concentrations.
It is absorbed as cupric ion (Cu ²⁺).
Its function is almost similar to those of Fe.
It acts as electron carriers in enzymes which bring about oxidation reduction reaction in plants.
Helps in utilization of iron in chlorophyll synthesis.
Influence on cell wall permeability and nitrate reduction.
Play a role in the biosynthesis & activity of ethylene in ripening fruit.
Promote the formation of vitamin-A in plants.

Zinc (Zn)

Zn is a constituent of several enzymes systems which regulate various metabolic reactions in the plant.
Influences the formation of some growth hormones in the plant like IAA, and Auxin.
Helpful in reproduction of certain plants.
Role in photosynthesis and involved in chlorophyll synthesis, protein synthesis.
Involved in alcohol dehydrogenase activity in fruit trees.

Boron (B)

Boron is present especially at the growing points and in the conducting tissue.
This element being a non metal doesn’t appear to be a part of any enzyme system
Essential for cell division in the meristematic tissues.
Involved in proper poilination, pollen formation, pollen tube growth flowering and fruit or seed set.
Important role in the fertilizing process of plants and during blossom period its requirement is high.
It influences carbohydrates and N-metabolism
Translocation of sugars through cellular membranes & prevent s the polymerization of sugars
It enhances rooting of cutting through oxidation process.
It has role in hormone movement and action.
Acts as a regulator of potassium/calcium ratio in the plant. Solubility & mobility of Ca increases.

Chlorine (Cl)

It does not form constituents of organic substance but act only in ionic form.
The plant requirement for chlorine is rather quite high as compared to other micro nutrients.
The exact role of Cl in plant metabolism is still obscure.
Involved in the evolution of”Oxygen” by chloroplasts in photo system-II.
Associated with turgor production in the guard cells by the osmotic pressure exerted by K⁺ions Role in stomata regulation (opening & closing).
Water splitting in photo system-Il.
Act as a bridging ligand for stabilization of the Oxidized state of Mn.

Deficiency of Nutrient in Plants

	**Deficiency of Causes Diseases**
N	Buttoning in cauliflower
P	Sickle leaf disease, bronzing of leaf margins in cereals
K	Scorching in mango burning of leaves litchi.
Ca	Blossom end rot in tomato and Ber, Tip hooking/burning in Cauliflower. Popping in groundnut Bitter pit of apple In fruit trees “dieback”.
Mg	Sand drawn disease of Tobacco.
S	Tea yellow disease. “Akhiochi” disease Due to H2S injury
Fe	White eye of Paddy, Leaf bleaching in Sugarcane
Mn	Water core in Brassica, Marsh disease in Pea, Spotted yellow disease in Sugarbeet, “Pahala blight” of sugarcane. “Grey speck” of oat.
Cu	Dieback and little leaf in Citrus, Exaunthema in Citrus Reclaimation disease in cereals.
Mo	Yellow spot disorder in Citrus, Whiptail disease in Cauliflower.
Zn	Little leaf in Brinjal, Mango, cotton, apple, litchi & cashew nut. Bronzing in Guava, White bud in Maize, Mottled leaf of citrus, Khaira disease in Paddy
Bo	Internal necrosis in Aonla and Mango, Browning in Cauliflower, Heat rot/ crown rot in Sugarbeet, Brown heart of turnip, Crown cracking in coconut, Hen and Chicken disorder in Grape. Top sickness of tobacco.

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