| The Functions and Effects of Micronutrients Deficiency |
| Micronutrients |
Function |
Effects of Defficiency |
| Chlorine (Cl) |
- Control osmotic pressure and ion balance.
|
- Chlorosis.
- Wilting of young leaves.
|
| Iron (Fe) |
- Synthesis chlorophyll.
- Important in the growth of young plants.
|
- Young leaves become yellowish.
|
| Manganese (Mn) |
- Activates photosynthetic enzymes.
- Important for cell respiration and nitrogen metabolism.
|
- Network of dark green leaf veins with a background of light green.
- Light brown or grey spots in between leaf veins.
|
| Boron (b) |
- Helps the roots in calcium ion uptake and sucrose translocation.
- Involves in carbohydrate metabolism and helps in germination of pollen.
|
- Death of terminal buds and abnormal growth.
- Leaves become thicker, rolled up and fragile.
|
| Zinc (Zn) |
- Synthesis of auxin (growth hormone).
- As a cofactor in carbohydrate metabolism.
|
- Stunted growth .
- Leaf surfaces become spotted with chlorosis parts.
|
| Copper (Cu) |
- Synthesis chlorophyll.
- Activates enzymes.
|
- Death of young shoot apex.
- Brown spots on terminal leaves.
- Plants become stunted.
|
| Nickel (Ni) |
- A component of plant enzymes.
- Involved in the breakdown of urea to become ammonia which can be used by plants.
|
- Stunted growth.
- Reduces crop production.
- Burnt effect at the end of leaves due to urea accumulation.
|
| Molybdenum (Mo) |
- Involves in nitrogen fixation and nitrate reduction during protein synthesis.
|
- Chlorosis in between matured leaf veins.
- Leaf colour becomes pale green.
- Reduces crop production.
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