Deficiency symptoms in plants are caused by bacterias or diseases and can also be caused due to the lack of necessary elements. These deficiency symptoms of necessary elements can be seen through different methods in plants. There is a mixture of different nutrients that plants need for their growth and to stay healthy. The nutrients required by plants in large amounts are called macronutrients. Examples of macronutrients are potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium etc.
Nutrients required in small amounts are called micronutrients. Examples of micronutrients are copper, boron, iron etc.
Deficiency Symptoms for Macronutrients
There are many deficiency symptoms seen or observed in plants. Let us discuss them. Deficiency symptoms for macronutrients are as follows:-
1. Nitrogen:
We all know that protein is very important for all living organisms because it leads to healthy growth and development. Nitrogen is one of the significant elements required in protein. It also contributes 1% to 6% (approximately) of the plant#39;s dry matter. So nitrogen deficiency can easily be seen in the growth and development of plants. Yellowing is seen in stems and leaves.
2. Calcium:
Calcium plays a vital role in signaling and cell wall structure. Calcium deficiency affects the early growing leaves and the growth points of plants. Newly leaves seem to be hooked or distorted. Black spots may also appear near the mid leaf and the growth of plants may be stopped.
3. Magnesium:
It is the inner element present in chlorophyll and is also very important for plant metabolism. It also transports carbohydrates within the plant body. Yellow and dark spots are seen in the new growth of plants.
4. Potassium:
Potassium is a very important element for plants. It plays a very important role in the formation of starch, movement of sugar and pH stabilization. Deficiency of potassium leads to a sudden development of a tissue called necrotic tissue, due to which the leaves may appear to curl downwards.
5. Phosphorus:
Phosphorus is required by plants for photosynthesis and transpiration. These processes require energy in the form of Adenosine triphosphate (requires phosphorus). If plants lack phosphorus these processes will not perform well, the leaves also may become reddish-purple and the old leaves may turn black.
6. Sulfur:
Amino acids require protein synthesis which in turn require sulfur. The light green-yellow pigment can be seen due to the deficiency of sulfur which usually happens in early growing leaves.
Deficiency Symptoms for Micronutrients
There are also many deficiencies for Micronutrients. Earlier we discussed the deficiencies of micronutrients in plants and now let us move forward to the micronutrients:
1. Boron – The death of terminal buds might take place due to the lack of growth in plants.
2. Copper – Lack of growth in roots and stem might be observed.
3. Manganese – Due to this, the shoots, fruits and leaves might diminish in size and color.
4. Zinc – Purple pigmentation occurs along with veinal chlorosis.
5. Molybdenum – Leaves might turn yellow and they also might distort.
Test Your Knowledge
i. Which of the following comprise the elements that help to complete the lifecycle of plants?
(a) Essential elements.
(b) Non-essential elements.
(c) Macro element.
(d) Micro element.
ii. Who had put forward the concept of essential mineral nutrients required by plants?
(a) Carl Linnaeus.
(b) Arnon and Stout.
(c) Aristotle.
(d) Leonhart Fuchs.
Solutions
i. (a) Essential elements.
ii. (b) Arnon and Stout
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Do You know?
The most effective way to grow healthy plants is to improve the quality of the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure. Spreading organic mulches around plants also enhances the quality of soil to a great extent. Nutritional problems can be addressed by keeping the soil depth at around 50 mm.