Nutrient requirements by plants

Nutrient Requirements in Plants

2.2

Nutrient Requirements in Plants

Nutrient Requirements in Plants

Nutrient

Macronutrient	Functions
Nitrogen	Synthesises protein, chlorophyll, enzyme and nucleic acid Helps the growth of branches and leaves Increases the production of fruits and seeds
Phosphorus	Synthesises protein and nucleic acid Promotes cell division for the production of flowers and fruits
Potassium	Synthesises protein Promotes plant cell division Strengthens resistance to infectious diseases
Magnesium	An important component in chlorophyll
Calcium	Synthesises spindle fibres during cell division Helps growth of meristem at tips of shoots and roots
Sulphur	Synthesises protein and chlorophyll Helps development of fruits Promotes plant cell division
Oxygen	Involved in plant cell respiration to produce energy
Carbon Hydrogen	Builds sugar or starch during photosynthesis Builds cellulose

Micronutrient	Functions
Boron	Synthesis chlorophyll and cell wall Helps the formation of fruits and seeds
Iron	Helps growth of young tree parts Helps cell respiration
Copper	Involved in photosynthesis and respiration
Molybdenum	Synthesises protein Helps the growth of plants
Manganese	Involved in photosynthesis and respiration Helps formation of amino acid
Zinc	Helps synthesis of protein and formation of chlorophyll Helps the formation of leaves

Effects of nutrients deficiency in plant growth

Plant Condition	Characteristics
Healthy plant	Normal plant growth Strong stem Leaves at the top are small and light green Leaves at the bottom are bigger and dark green The production of flowers and fruits is normal The growth of roots is normal
Plant with nitrogen deficiency	Stunted plant growth Weak stem Leaves at the top are smaller and fall easily Leaves at the bottom are pale green or yellow (chlorosis) The production of flowers and fruits is stunted The growth of roots is normal
Plant with phosphorus deficiency	Stunted plant growth; slow to grow and mature Weak stem Leaves at the top are smaller and purplish Leaves at the bottom are bluish-green, curled and with brown edges The production of flowers and fruits stops The growth of roots deteriorates
Plant with potassium deficiency	Stunted plant growth; dies before reaching maturity Weak stem Leaves at the top have brown spots, curled ends and chlorosis Leaves at the bottom wilt and have dead tissues around the edges The production of flowers is reduced, and the production of fruit stops The growth of roots is reduced

Nutrient Requirements in Plants

2.2

Nutrient Requirements in Plants

Nutrient Requirements in Plants

Nutrient

Macronutrient	Functions
Nitrogen	Synthesises protein, chlorophyll, enzyme and nucleic acid Helps the growth of branches and leaves Increases the production of fruits and seeds
Phosphorus	Synthesises protein and nucleic acid Promotes cell division for the production of flowers and fruits
Potassium	Synthesises protein Promotes plant cell division Strengthens resistance to infectious diseases
Magnesium	An important component in chlorophyll
Calcium	Synthesises spindle fibres during cell division Helps growth of meristem at tips of shoots and roots
Sulphur	Synthesises protein and chlorophyll Helps development of fruits Promotes plant cell division
Oxygen	Involved in plant cell respiration to produce energy
Carbon Hydrogen	Builds sugar or starch during photosynthesis Builds cellulose

Micronutrient	Functions
Boron	Synthesis chlorophyll and cell wall Helps the formation of fruits and seeds
Iron	Helps growth of young tree parts Helps cell respiration
Copper	Involved in photosynthesis and respiration
Molybdenum	Synthesises protein Helps the growth of plants
Manganese	Involved in photosynthesis and respiration Helps formation of amino acid
Zinc	Helps synthesis of protein and formation of chlorophyll Helps the formation of leaves

Effects of nutrients deficiency in plant growth

Plant Condition	Characteristics
Healthy plant	Normal plant growth Strong stem Leaves at the top are small and light green Leaves at the bottom are bigger and dark green The production of flowers and fruits is normal The growth of roots is normal
Plant with nitrogen deficiency	Stunted plant growth Weak stem Leaves at the top are smaller and fall easily Leaves at the bottom are pale green or yellow (chlorosis) The production of flowers and fruits is stunted The growth of roots is normal
Plant with phosphorus deficiency	Stunted plant growth; slow to grow and mature Weak stem Leaves at the top are smaller and purplish Leaves at the bottom are bluish-green, curled and with brown edges The production of flowers and fruits stops The growth of roots deteriorates
Plant with potassium deficiency	Stunted plant growth; dies before reaching maturity Weak stem Leaves at the top have brown spots, curled ends and chlorosis Leaves at the bottom wilt and have dead tissues around the edges The production of flowers is reduced, and the production of fruit stops The growth of roots is reduced