Mineral Nutrition Test - 8

Calcium is a macronutrient. It is an essential part of the plant cell wall and helps in the transport and retention of other elements.

In leguminous plants, leghaemoglobin regulates the supply of oxygen to nodule tissue. Therefore, it is essential for nitrogen fixation.

Nickel is not an essential micronutrient.There are 7 essential plant nutrient elements defined as micronutrients [boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine (Cl)]. They constitute in total less than 1% of the dry weight of most plants.

Zinc can be absorbed by foliage. Zinc deficiencies can affect plant by stunting its growth, decreasing number of tillers, chlorosis and smaller leaves, increasing crop maturity period, spikelet sterility and inferior quality of harvested products.

Boron increases the rate of transport of sugars (which are produced by photosynthesis in mature plant leaves) to actively growing regions and also in developing fruits.[10] Boron is essential for providing sugars which are needed for root growth in all plants and also for normal development of root nodules in legumes such as alfalfa, soybeans and peanuts.

Magnesium ion is present in the center of a chlorophyll molecule. Its deficiency causes the yellowing or whitening of normal green plant tissue which is known as chlorosis.

Calcium deficiency symptoms appear initially as localized tissue necrosis leading to stunted plant growth, necrotic leaf margins on young leaves or curling of the leaves, and eventual death of terminal buds and root tips.

Plant ash is an indication of mineral salts absorbed by the plant.

Active mineral absorption depends on expenditure of energy in the form of ATP.

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