roles of macronutrients and micronutrients in plants

• Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen are important components in carbon and oxygen cycles. They are also the components of all organic compounds in plants. These macronutrients play an important role as components in the synthesis of sugar. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are easily obtained from air and also water from the soil. They make up most of the dry mass of plants. Effects of deficiency of these macronutrients include stunted growth that can cause death because there is no glucose, less oxygen is released from the plants, and lastly, photosynthesis does not take place.
• Nitrogen is another macronutrient that is important as a component of nucleic acids, proteins, and enzymes in photosynthesis and respiration. Nitrogen gives the green colour to plants through the formation of chlorophyll. Without nitrogen, plants will experience stunted growth, matured leaves will undergo chlorosis, underlying leaves will fall off, and the protein synthesis will be disrupted.
• Potassium is the cofactor of many enzymes, including ATP synthase, and is involved in the synthesis of nucleic acids. Potassium is involved in protein synthesis and maintains the cell turgidity. Lack of potassium may cause edges of leaves to become yellowish, premature death of plants, and the protein synthesis is disrupted.
• Calcium is one the macronutrients needed by plants. Calcium is a component of the cell wall, particularly as calcium pectate in the middle lamella. Calcium is also a component of spindle fibres during cell division. It is required by meristematic of differentiating plants. Deficiency of calcium may result in stunted growth, leaves become distorted and lobed, and the parts between leave veins will become yellowish.
• Magnesium is a central component of the structure of chlorophyll molecule. Magnesium activates some plant enzymes and is important in carbohydrate metabolism. Deficiency of magnesium causes the leaves to become lobed, parts between matured leave veins become yellowish , and red spots will appear on the surface of leaves.
• Phosphorus is acts as a coenzyme in photosynthesis and respiration. Phosphorus is also required for the synthesis of nucleic acids, ATP and phospholipids in plasma membrane. Deficiency of phosphorus causes unhealthy root growth, and formation of dark green and dull coloured leaves. Red or purple spots will also appear on the older leaves.
• Sulfur is the component of few amino acids. Sulfur is one of the vitamin B constituents and a few types of coenzymes. Deficiency of sulfur causes leaves or the whole plant to turn yellow.