What is Mineral Nutrition?

Soil is the source of minerals, and these minerals are absorbed by end part of root of a plant.

There are two types for mineral absorption –

1. Passive absorption – by apoplastic path. In this type minerals passes through outside of the cell. Passive absorption doesn’t need ATPs. It has two ways –

a. By diffusion – from high concentration to low concentration.

b. By ion-exchange – minerals can exchange with same charge ions.

    I. Contact exchange – direct exchange with H⁺ and OH^- ions.

    II. H₂CO₃ exchange – cells of root produce CO₂ during respiration, which adds with H₂O and makes H₂CO₃. That H₂CO₃ is broken /catalyzed in H⁺ and HCO₃^-. And these both ions show exchange with +ion and –ion present in soil.

c. Mass flow – ions are also can be absorbed by transpiration force.

2. Active absorption – by symplastic path. In this type minerals passes through the cell. And for this type plants need ATP.  It has different types –

a. Cytochrome-pump theory – according to this theory cytochrome carries only negative ions.

b. Carrier concept – cell membrane has different proteins that makes ion-carrier complex with negative or positive ions.

c. Protein-Lecithin theory – lecithin and phospholipids works as carrier for negative and positive ions.

Essential and Non-essential minerals for plants –

1. Essential element is the element which is important for plant’s general growth and reproduction. And in the absence of this element / mineral plant isn’t able to complete its life cycle. And plant can’t produce seed in the absent of this element.

2. An essential element’s deficiency can’t be lessen by another element, is an essential element. Its requirement for plant should be special for plant.

3. An essential element should be directly involved in metabolic reactions of a plant.

Arnon divided essential minerals / elements in 2 types –

A. Major elements / Micro minerals – these elements or minerals are required in a large amount for plant. (More than 10mmol/kg of plant’s dry weight)

Ex. C, H, O, N, P, Mg, S, K, Ca

B. Minor elements / Macro minerals – these elements or minerals are required in a small amount for plant.  (Less than 10mmol/kg of plant’s dry weight)

Ex. M, Mo, B, Cl, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu

Role of mineral ions –

1. Nitrogen – absorption – in form of NO₃^- and NH₄⁺

Work – important component of proteins and nucleic acid.

Part of phorphyrene cycle of cytochrome and chlorophyll molecule.

It is present in Co-enzymes and vitamins.

It is also present in IAA hormone and ATP.

Sign of deficiency – chlorosis in old plant parts, stunted growth. Formation of anthosynine.

2. Sulphur – absorption – in form of SO₄^- (sulphate).

Work – important component of cistine and methionine acids.

It is present in Biotin, thymine, Co-A, Ferradoxin.

It is important for root node formation.

Sign of deficiency – chlorosis in new plant parts, formation of anthosynine.

3. Phosphorus – absorption – H₂PO₄^- and HPO₄^-2

Work –

 It is important for photosynthesis and protein synthesis.

It is also important for redox reactions.

Sign of deficiency – necrosis, deficiency in protein synthesis.

4. Calcium – absorption – Ca⁺²

Work – it maintains permeability of cell membrane.

It is the activator of Phospholipase, Arginine, Kinase, Amylase, ATPase.

It gives mechanical help to plant.

Sign of deficiency – chlorosis, necrosis, chromosomal disturbances.

5. Molybdenum – absorption – MoO₄^-2

Work – it is important in nitrogen metabolism.

It takes part in tennin synthesis reactions.

Sign of deficiency – chlorosis, whiptel of cabbage.

6. Potassium – absorption – K⁺

Work –

It is the co-factor of enzymes of respiration, photosynthesis and DNA synthesis.

It maintains permeability of cell.

It has an important role in opening and closing of stomata.

Sign of deficiency – necrosis, chlorosis.

7. Magnesium – absorption – Mg⁺²

Work –

It is important for adding of subunits of ribosome.

It is important for phosphate transfer reaction.

Sign of deficiency – chlorosis, necrosis.

8. Iron – absorption – Fe⁺³

Work –

It is important for Nitrogen fixation.

It is important chlorophyll synthesis.

It is important for Krebs’s cycle’s aconitase enzyme.

Sign of deficiency – chlorosis, problem in respiration.

9. Magnese – absorption – Mn⁺²   

Work –

It is important for photo-reduction of water.

It is the activator of reductase, hydroxyl, decarboxylase, dehydroginase enzymes.

Sign of deficiency -  chlorosis.

10. Boron – absorption – BO₃^-3, B₄O₇^-2 and H₃BO₃

Work –

It is only macro-nutrient which is not related to enzymes.

It is important in formation of pollen tube.

It has an important role in sugar transportation. (in phloem)

 Sign of deficiency – changes in EMP / HMP pathway, stunted flowering.

11. Copper – absorption – Cu⁺²

Work –

It is present in plastocynin & Cytochrome-a.

It is important in formation of Vitamin-C (Ascorbic acid).

Sign of deficiency – chlorosis, Dieback disease of lemon.

12. Zinc – absorption – Zn⁺²

Work –

It is the co-factor of carbonic anhydrase, alcohol dehydrogenises, and peptidase enzyme.

It is important in Auxin synthesis and seed formation.

Sign of deficiency – Khaira disease of rice, small leaves and stunted seed formation.

13. Chlorine – absorption – Cl^-

Work –

It maintains balance of –ve & +ve ions in cell.

It is important in photolytic reduction of water.

Sign of deficiency – necrosis, chlorosis.

14. Nickel – work –

It is important in urease and hydrogenises activation.

Sign of deficiency – Necrosis.

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