Mineral Ion Deficiency

• What are nitrogen ions used for in plants?

  Amino acid and protein synthesis- helps the plant grow.

  • DNA synthesis
  • Chloropyll synthesis
• How will nitrogen deficiency affect the plant?

  The plant will have:

  • stunted and slow growth
  • chlorosis- yellowing of leaves
  • purple stems
• Will nitrogen deficieny impact newer or older leaves?

  Older leaves due to nitrogen being a mobile ion
• What is calcium responsible for in plants?

  • Cell wall structure- calcium pectate sticks adjacent plant cells together
  • Regulates movement of other ions into the plant
  • Enzyme activation
• How will calcium deficiency impact the plant?

  It will lead to:

  • stunted growth
  • development of a pale green colour and curling of new leaves
• Will calcium deficiency impact older or newer leaves first?

  Younger leaves as Ca is immobile
• What is Magnesium responsible for?

  • The synthesis of chlorophyll
  • Used as an enzyme co-factor
• How will Mg deficiency affect the plant?

  It will lead to:

  • Fading and yellowing of older leaves
  • Interveinal chlorosis- yellow leaves, green veins
• Will Mg deficiency affect younger or older leaves first?

  Older leaves due to Mg being a mobile ion
• What is Potassium responsible for ?

  • regulation of growth and metabolic reactions
  • promotes flowering and fruiting
• How will Potassium deficiency affect the plant?

  It will lead to:

  • chlorosis- brown marks on leaves
  • poor flowering
  • purple spots on the underside of the leaves
  • growth and metabolic disorders
• Will K deficiency impact older or younger leaves first?

  Older leaves due to potassium being a mobile ion
• What are immobile ions?

  They travel up the xylem to growing points of a plant and they STAY there.

  Older leaves don't require immobile ions as they are no longer growing.

  • immobile ions deficiency is seen in NEW leaves with areas of new growth
  • Examples of immobile ions include, calcium
• What are mobile ions?

  They travel through a plant from the roots.

  • OLDER leaves experience deficiency first as plants direct mobile ions to areas of new growth.
  • Examples include: nitrogen, potassium, magnesium
• How are nitrate ions used for growth?

  They are used to make amino acids- make proteins for growth

  • used to make proteins- work as enzymes