CONTENT
Classify plant nutrients
Functions and deficiency symptoms of nutrients, Nutrient cycles
PLANT NUTRIENTS AND NUTRIENT CYCLES
Plant nutrients are classified into two types these include macronutrients and micronutrients.
MACRONUTRIENTS
These are mineral elements or nutrients required by crops in large quantities. Examples are: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sulfur.
MICRONUTRIENT OR TRACE ELEMENTS
These are mineral elements or nutrients required by crops in small quantities. Examples are Zinc, Copper, Boron, molybdenum, Iron, Chlorine, and Manganese.
FUNCTIONS AND DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS OF PLANT NUTRIENTS
S/N ELEMENT FUNCTION DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
1. Nitrogen
Functions
i. Aids plant growth and reproduction
ii. Promotes vegetative and short system growth
iii. Excess Nitrogen delays maturation and fruiting
iv. Promotes chlorophyll formation
v. Necessary for the synthesis of plant hormones
Deficiency Symptoms
i. Stunted growth
ii. Yellowing of leaves
iii. Leaves tend to drop
iv. Poor formation of fruits
and flowers
2. Phosphorus
Functions
i. It aids enzyme reactions
ii. It is a constituent of cell division
iii. Increases soil resistance to diseases
iv. Helps in the ripening of fruits
v. Helps in root development and seed germination
vi. Aids seed germination
Deficiency Symptoms
i. Logging results in cereal crops
ii. Stunted growth
iii. Leaves turn purple and brownish
iv. Poor root development
v. Immature fruit drop
3 Potassium
Functions
i. An important constituent of plant tissues
ii. Aids the synthesis of carbohydrates
iii. Activates various plant enzyme reactions
iv. Promotes the development of young plants
v. Helps in nitrate uptake in the soil
Deficiency Symptoms
i. Weak slender stems
ii. Delayed growth
iii. Premature loss of leaves
iv. Brown colour at the margin of leaves
4 Calcium
Functions
i. Strengthens plant cells with calcium pectate
ii. Helps in the translocation and storage of carbohydrates and proteins in seeds and tubers
iii. Necessary for the normal growth of root tips
Deficiency Symptoms
i. Causes stunting of the root system
ii. Weak slender plants iii. Pale yellow colour of
leaves
iv. It controls the toxicity of aluminium, manganese and sodium ions
V. It improves soil PH
5 Magnesium
Functions
i. It is important in the synthesis of carbohydrates as it is a constituent of chlorophyll
ii. It assists in the transportation of phosphate for fruit seeds development
iii. It enhances plant growth
iv. It is required for normal cell division
v. Necessary for the synthesis of soil in plants
Deficiency Symptoms
i. Chlorosis along leaf veins
ii. Stunted growth, Premature leaf fall
EVALUATION
1. Give five examples each of macro and micronutrients.
2. State the functions and deficiency symptoms of sulphur, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, and molybdenum.
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