A brief Description- Micronurients in Plants
Micronutrients play complex roles in plant development and health. Micronutrients promote remarkable growth of crops that produce higher yields .These nutrients also increase the quality of nutrients present in plants. The presence of micronutrients renders the big impact on root development, fruit setting ,seed viability and plant vigor and health.
IRON
Absorption
Plants withdraw iron in the form of ferric ions.
Role
Iron is a constituent of proteins or enzymes that are involved in the transfer of electrons and activates catalase enzymes.
It is essential for the formation of chlorophyll.
Deficiency & Symptoms
Interveinal chlorosis is the main symptom of iron deficiency in plants. Manganese is another micronutrients that is responsible for iron deficiency in plants because it interferes in absorption of iron from soil. If there is too much waterlogging in soil it deviates the pH of soil. As a result, iron absorption by plants is affected.
The symptom of iron deficiency is chlorosis of the young leaves. At the beginning , a yellow interveinal chlorosis develops and makes a green appearance of veins in leaves. In severe cases the chlorosis becomes white and the veins may lose their green colour.
Leaf blades show necrosis. and may be visible from the tip to interveinal zones. Necrotic tissue is generally light brown in color.
MANGANESE
Absorption
Manganese is absorbed in the form of manganese ions.
Role
It activates many enzymes and helps in splitting of water to liberate oxygen during photosynthesis.
Deficiency & Symptoms
Manganese deficient plants possess interveinal chlorosis mainly in young leaves and a major portion of leaves near the vein become green.
Leaves, shoots, fruits or stems may be distorted and plant parts may be reduced in size. Necrosis is also seen in parts of plants. Interveinal necrosis or necrotic spotting is also typical of Manganese deficiency in some species. If plants are grown in alkaline soils then Manganese deficiency may frequently appear.
ZINC
Absorption
Plants obtain zinc from soil in the form of zinc ion.
Role
Zinc activates enzymes like carboxylases and is also needed in the synthesis of auxin. Zinc is related with Nitrogen,carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of plants. It has a vital role in protein and RNA synthesis. Zinc also influences the root membrane permeability.
Deficiency & Symptoms
zinc deficiency makes the leaf yellow but leaf veins remain green and young leaves are more affected. New leaves are smaller and narrower and have wavy margins. If deficiency remains, then the yellow spot or chlorotic spots may turn into bronze color. Necrosis may occur at the margins of leaves.. Zinc-deficient leaves have small internodes.
COPPER
Absorption
Copper is absorbed as cupric ions .
Role
It is essential for the overall metabolism in plants and involved in redox reactions.
Copper is essential for some enzymes in plants which are involved in lignin synthesis.
It is also required in the process of photosynthesis.copper regulates the plant respiration and carbohydrates and proteins metabolism.
Deficiency & Symptoms
Copper is immobile therefore early symptoms appear in the newer leaves. Symptoms The chlorosis occurs on the whole leaf or between the veins of the new leaves. Sometimes small necrotic spots may be visible at the chlorotic area.
In the severe cases, the new leaves are smaller in size,and may wilt soon. The apical meristems may die therefore the growth of lateral branches does not occur. Flower color is also affected due to zinc deficiency.
BORON
Absorption
Boron is absorbed in the form of boric acids or borate ions.
Role
Boron required for uptake and utilisation of Calcium in plants. It regulates the function of cell membranes. It is essential for pollen germination.
Deficiency & Symptoms
Due to the lack of Boron, Young leaves are curled. Plants growth are stunted at some growing tips. Leaves are very small and may be present in the form of rosettes.The size of seeds may be very small. The lower leaf tips become yellow.
MOLYBDENUM
Absorption
Plants obtain molybdenum in the form of molybdate ions.
Role
Molybdenum is a component of several enzymes like nitrogenase and nitrate reductase.It mainly regulates nitrogen metabolism in plants. It plays an important role in the conversion of nitrate into nitrogen in their leaves because nitrogen is an essential for the formation of protein.The root nodule bacteria in legumes plants need molybdenum to fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Deficiency & Symptoms
The plant shows stunted growth. The leaves appear pale green or yellowish green in colour between the veins .The older leaves may be more severely affected.
CHLORINE
Absorption
Chlorine is absorbed in the form of chloride anion.
Role
Chlorine maintains the solute concentration and the anion cation balance in cells.
It is essential for the water-splitting reaction in photosynthesis. It is also involved in the opening and closing of stomata.
Deficiency & Symptoms
Chlorine deficiency causes chlorosis and necrosis. The leaves develop irregular boundaries between the affected and healthy tissue. In severe cases, bronzing and wilting of leaves takes places.
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