Essential Minerals Elements and Their Functions in the Plants

 

Essential Minerals

Essential Minerals Elements and Their Functions in the Plants

Calcium

The presence of calcium in the soil improves the soil structure and is immobile in agricultural plants, because some soils have a large amount of calcium carbonate, so adding calcium is not needed.

Functions of calcium in agricultural plants:

1-      Calcium is part of calcium pectate, which has a role in the structure of the cell wall

2-      It performs the function of co-factor in chemical reactions

3-      It has a role in facilitating cellular activities

4-      Calcium is an important part of soil exchange capacity

 

Lack of Calcium in Agricultural Plants

The symptoms of calcium deficiency are first seen in the growth points. During the deficiency, the growth points become hot and twisted. In the case of calcium deficiency, the lack of formation of terminal buds - dead spots will be seen in the veins of the middle leaves of some plants.

Magnesium

In immobile agricultural plants, a high concentration of potassium, and a low concentration of manganese may indicate magnesium deficiency

The role of magnesium in agricultural plants:

1-      It has a role in light and it is the central element of chlorophyll

2-      It is necessary for the formation of protein and it is relatively abundant in the seeds of agricultural plants

3-      It is necessary for the transfer and absorption of phosphorus

4-      It is a component of chlorophyll

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

In old leaves, lack of magnesium is detected soon and the area between the veins of the leaves is seen as yellow, while the color of the leaf itself is green, as a result, the veins in the area become brown and die. A low amount of magnesium in fodder can cause grass tetany disease and it causes hypo magnisis disease in animals

Lack of magnesium has been seen in areas where the soil is sandy or organic and the leaves bend inward.

Manganese

It is immobile in plants and its functions are summarized as follows:

1- Manganese activates enzymes and has a role in the formation of chlorophyll

2- It has a role in the release of oxygen and it is necessary for the metabolic process of agricultural plants

At the time of iron deficiency, manganese is absorbed and becomes poisonous to plants.

Symptoms of Manganese Deficiency

There is a lack of manganese in the young leaves and the area between the veins of the leaves turns yellow. Also, the high concentration of manganese has poisoned plants; if the concentration from 500 – 800 ppm it’s poisonous for agricultural plants, and leaves can be seen in plants. Manganese deficiency can occur in calcareous soils and also due to the presence of other magnesium-calcium and iron.

Zinc

It is mobile in plants and its role is summarized below:

1-      It has a role in activating some enzymes

2-      It has a role in protein formation

3-      It helps the production of seeds and it is necessary for the formation of Indole acetic acid, which is a regulator and is necessary for the growth of plants.

4-      In making Auxin, chloroplasts have a role in carbohydrate metabolism and protein stability

Lack of Zinc in Agricultural Plants

It appears in the yellow form between the racks of young leaves; sometimes it shortens the plant and reduces the distance between the panicles of the plants, which is called Rosset.

Paleness and whiteness of young leaves - Whitening of leaf veins in rice leaves - Redness and browning and loss of color of leaves in rice, the deficiency is possible in cold-humid soils or soils with high pH. If there is a large amount, it causes toxicity and reduces the growth of the roots, and leaves shrink and turn yellow.

Copper

The functions of copper in plants are as follows:

1-      It has a role in the formation of chlorophyll

2-      It has a role in energy transfer in agricultural plants

3-      It has a role in the production and formation of charges

Copper deficiency in plants is as follows:

·         Stopping growth

·         The death of the buds of the terminal leaves

·         The whitening of the tips of the leaves and the narrowing and twisting of the leaves and the lengthening of the leaves

Boron

Boron is absorbed in the form of boric acid and is immobile in plants. Boron is mobile in soil and moves with water.

Boron roles:

In the young parts of the plants, such buds at the tip of the leaves, around the leaves, and the tip of the roots, dead and yellow spots appear, the leaves and stems of the tomato become fragile, and finally, it causes the entire fall and the death of the buds at the end.

Chlorine

It plays a role in maintaining the PH balance in plants and interferes with the production of oxygen in the light system. The symptoms of chlorine deficiency in agricultural plants appear in the form of green, yellow leaves and dead tissue of some leaves.