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Activity Discussion Environment What is mineral nutrition ?

  • Manpreet

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    June 3, 2021 at 12:22 pm
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    Every living organism needs the basic essential substances for their body to work eefectively and efficiently. Example – carbohydrates, fats, minerals, proteins and vitamins. Minerals can be classified into two groups –

    Essential and non essential mineral elements.

    Essential mineral nutrients are those that cannot be replaced by any other element and in their absence the plant won’t reproduce. Essential elements can be divided into two types – macronutrients and micronutrients.

    Macronutrients are mineral elements that are required in large amounts whereas micronutrients are the mineral elements required in small amounts.

    Macronutrients –

    The following are the macronutrients required by a plant –

    1. Carbon – all organic components require hydrocarbons. Thus carbon is the most essential element.

    2. Hydrogen

    3. Oxygen

    4. Phosphorous – these participate in the formation of cell membranes, phospholipids, proteins, nucleotides and nucleic acids etc. these are absorbed as phosphate ions.

    5. Potassium – it is involved in the opening and closing mechanism of stomata. Also, it is required in activation of certain ennzymes, maintenance of cationic and anionic balance of the body etc. It is absorbed as potassium ion.

    6. Nitrogen – required essentially by the meristematic tissues. These are absorbed as nitrate ions from the soil.

    7. Sulphur – it is present in amino acids such as cysteine and methionine

    8. Magnesium – it is involved in respiration and photosynthesis. It also helps in the formation of DNA and RNA. It is also present in the chlorophyll.

    9. Calcium – it forms the component of the plant cell walls, specially the middle lamella that is made up of calcium pectate.

    The micronutrients are as follows –

    1. Iron – it is an imp element required in larger amounts in comparison with other micronutrients. It is absorbed as ferric ions. It activates the catalase enzyme.

    2. Copper – it is involved in redox reactions

    3. Boron – it is required for various functions such as cell elongation, pollen germination, cell differentiation, carbohydrate translocation etc.

    4. Manganese – activates enzymes involved in repiration and photosynthesis.

    5. Molybdenum – used in the activation of some enzymes.

    6. Chlorine – required in the splitting of water during photosynthesis that leads to the evolution of oxygen. It also maintains the anionic – cationic balance like Na and K ions.

    7. Zinc – it activates various enzyme. It is also required in the synthesis of auxin.

    This was a summary of mineral nutrition in plants. I hope this helps.

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