Mineral nutrition in plants

• Nutrition is the process in which food is obtained or prepared
• Every organism needs food for growth and energy
• Nutrients are elements and compounds that an organism obtains and uses for energy or for the synthesis of new materials
• Autotrophic organisms obtain water, carbon dioxide, and minerals from their environment to prepare their own food for growth and energy
• Heterotrophic organisms obtain their food from other organisms for growth and energy
• Plants have the most efficient mechanisms for autotrophic mode of nutrition
• Plants get carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water
• Plants also require mineral elements for various activities and structures
• Macronutrients are required in large quantities by plants, e.g., carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, magnesium, potassium
• Micronutrients are required in small quantities by plants, e.g., iron, molybdenum, boron, chlorine, zinc
• If any of these nutrients is not available to a plant, they show abnormalities and do not grow normally
• Roles of important nutrients in plants:

  • Carbon: Component of ATP, nucleic acids, and coenzymes, necessary for seed germination, photosynthesis, protein formation
  • Oxygen: Regulates the opening and closing of the stoma, reduces water loss from the leaves
  • Nitrogen: Component of proteins, vitamins, and enzymes
  • Potassium: Activates enzymes, is a structural component of the cell wall, influences water movement in cells
• Plants get nitrogen in the form of nitrates
• Nitrogen is a major component of proteins, hormones, chlorophyll, vitamins and enzymes essential for plant life
• Nitrogen metabolism is a major factor in stem and leaf growth
• Too much nitrogen can delay flowering and fruiting
• Deficiencies of nitrogen can reduce yields, cause yellowing of the leaves and stunt growth
• Magnesium is a structural component of chlorophyll
• Magnesium is necessary for the functioning of plant enzymes to produce carbohydrates, sugars and fats
• Magnesium is used for fruit and nut formation and essential for germination of seeds
• Deficiency in magnesium causes yellowing and wilting