Deficiency of Nutrients


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Deficiency of Nutrients

Deficiency of Nutrients:

When any macro- or micro-nutrient is absent or its concentration is less than the required amount, such a condition leads to a deficiency of that nutrient. The deficiency of nutrients leads to stunted growth, yellowing of leaves (due to less chlorophyll), reduced crop yield and even the death of plants. Manure and fertilizers are added to the soil to supply more nutrients.

Plants must obtain the following mineral nutrients from their growing medium:

The Macro-Nutrients:

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulphur (S), magnesium (Mg), carbon (C), oxygen (O), hydrogen (H)

The Micro-Nutrients (or trace minerals):

Iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni)

Let us take an example of corn and see the deficiencies of nutrients and symptoms in the plants :

Nitrogen (N) deficiency causes pale, yellowish-green corn plants with spindly stalks. Because nitrogen is a mobile nutrient in the plant, symptoms begin on the older, lower leaves and progress up the plant if the deficiency persists.

Potassium (K) deficiency is first seen as a yellowing and necrosis of the corn leaf margins, beginning on the lower leaves.

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is usually visible on young corn plants. It readily mobilizes and translocates in the plant. Plants are dark green with reddish-purplish leaf tips and margins on older leaves.

Calcium (Ca) deficiency is rare in corn. If deficient, leaf tips stick to the next lower leaf, creating a ladder-like appearance. Plants may be severely stunted because calcium is immobile in the plant; it is not trans-located from old to growing plant tissue that needs calcium.

Magnesium(Mg) deficiency is first seen as yellow to white interveinal striping of the lower corn leaves. Dead, round spots sometimes follow, which give the impression of beaded streaking. Older leaves become reddish-purple, and the tips and edges may become necrotic if the deficiency is severe. This happens because magnesium is mobile in the plant and is translocated from old to new plant tissue.

Molybdenum (Mo) deficiency (no picture) is rarely, if ever, found in corn. If it occurs, however, older leaves become necrotic at the tip, along the margins, and between the veins.

Boron (B) deficiency (no picture) is rare in corn.Leaves have small dead spots and are brittle. Boron is not readily translocated in the plant and as a result upper internodes do not elongate. Tassels and ear shoots are reduced and may not emerge. Corn is very sensitive to boron fertilizer. Boron toxicity can result if fertilizer is applied at rates above recommendations, or row applied.

Copper (Cu) deficiency (no picture) is rare in corn.The youngest leaves are yellow as they come out of the whorl, and the tips may die. Copper is relatively immobile in the plant. Leaves become streaked, causing an appearance that is similar to iron deficiency. The stalk is soft and limp. Some necrosis of older leaf edges occurs as it does in cases of potassium deficiency. Copper deficiency is favored by organic soils (very high soil organic matter) and by high soil pH (above 7.5).

Iron (Fe) deficiency turns the interveinal area along the length of the upper leaves pale green to nearly white. Iron is immobile and is not translocated from old to young plant tissue.This deficiency is rare on corn because of its low iron requirement,

Sulfur (S) deficiency shows on small corn plants as a general yellowing of the foliage, similar to nitrogen deficiency. Yellowing of the younger upper leaves is more pronounced with sulfur deficiency than with nitrogen deficiency because sulfur is not easily translocated in the plant. Stunting of plants and delayed maturity also are symptoms.

Sample Questions
(More Questions for each concept available in Login)
Question : 1

What are the symptoms of deficiency of nutrients in plants ?

Right Option : D
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Explanation
Question : 2

Which of the following nutrient are required by plants in large amount ?

Right Option : C
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Explanation
Question : 3

Which of the following are correct :

(a) The deficiency of nutrients leads to stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, reduced crop yield and even the death of plants.

(b) Manure and fertilizers are added to the soil to supply more nutrients.

Right Option : C
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Explanation
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