Plant Nutrition Flashcards
Carbon Macro
from air is used to form glucose and woody structures within the plant.
Veins turn white if deficient
Hydrogen Macro
from water is combined with Carbon to form glucose (carbohydrates)
Wilting will show lack of access to water
Oxygen Macro
is needed in the soil for root respiration, and in the air for tissue to respire
Root oxygen deficiency will cause stunted, yellow or blue plants
N Nitrogen Macro
Large amounts needed by plant
is used in chlorophyll production, so is needed for leafy growth
mobile in the plant, so can be drawn out of older leaves to feed newer leaves, if supply is short.
Deficiency found on older leaves, with yellowing and slow growth
P Phosphorus
Needed for energy transfer (it’s in ATP, the product of respiration).
It is mobile in the plant, and concentrated in root and shoot tips
Deficiency begins with poor root development, leading to weak shoots and blue / purple discolouration
K Potassium Macro
It regulates osmosis, including in stomata and is needed for flowering and fruiting
It also helps with cold hardiness and secondary thickening
It is mobile in the plant
Deficiency causes browning and scorch-effect on leaves, and poor flowering/fruiting
Mg Magnesium Macro
It’s another major constituent of chlorophyll
It is mobile in the plant
Deficiency shows as inter-veinal chlorosis: yellowing between the veins
Ca Calcium (Macro)
It constitutes cell walls
It is immobile in the plant
Deficiency therefore shows on new growth and includes inward curling, pale young leaves and dying shoot tips.
Examples include topple of tulips and blossom end rot in tomatoes (weakened cell walls)
S Sulfur (Macro)
It’s used in the production of enzymes and chlorophyll
It is immobile in the plant
Deficiency is therefore yellow chlorosis on younger leaves (often whole leaf chlorosis)
Mn Manganese (Micro)
It’s use is very similar to Sulphur, for enzyme and chlorophyll production
It is immobile in the plant
Deficiency symptoms match those of Sulfur, but are more inter-veinal
Fe Iron (Micro)
It’s needed for the production of chlorophyll
It is immobile in the plant
Deficiency therefore shows on new growth and is a yellow chlorosis
It’s associated with too much lime (too high a pH) and is known as lime-induced chlorosis
B Boron (Micro)
It’s used for the movement of sugar around the plant and strengthening cell walls. It is used in other processes (including fertilisation)
It makes Calcium available
It is mobile in the plant
Deficiency shows as distorted growth and hollowing of stems
Fruits may also be effected – corky core in apples
Mo Molybdenum (Micro)
It’s used for the uptake of Nitrogen, and storage (e.g. root nodules in legumes)
It is mobile in the plant
Deficiency symptoms match those of Nitrogen
Lamina may also shrink – producing whiptail in Brassicas – and browning of the margin
