Role of Micro and Macro Nutrients

Essential elements perform various functions. They carry out several metabolic processes in the plant cells like the maintenance of turgidity of cell, transportation of electrons, membrane permeability and enzyme activity. Essential elements also act as important constituents of the biomolecules and co-enzymes.

Nitrogen

Required for the synthesis of amino acids, proteins nucleic acids, vitamins, hormones, coenzymes, ATP and chlorophyll.

Phosphorus

Required for the synthesis of nucleic acids phospho lipids, ATP, NAD and NADP. Constituent of cell membrane and some proteins.

Potassium

Activates enzymes, associated with K⁺/Na⁺ pump in active transport, anion-cation balance in the cells. Brings about opening and closing of stomata. Common in cell sap in plant cell vacuole and helps in turgidity of cells.

Calcium

Present as calcium pectate in the middle lamella of cell walls that joins the adjacent cells together. Activates enzymes needed for the growth of root and shoot tip. Needed for
normal cell wall development. Required for cell division, cell enlargement.

Magnesium

Forms part of the chlorophyll molecule. Activates enzymes of phosphate metabolism. Important for synthesis of DNA and RNA. Essential for binding of ribosome subunits.

Sulphur

As a constituent of amino acids cysteine and methionine and of some proteins. Present in co-enzyme A, vitamin thiamine, biotin and ferredoxin. Increases root development. Increases the nodule formation in legumes.

Iron

Needed for the synthesis of chlorophyll. As a constituent of ferredoxin and cytochromes. Activates the enzymes catalase.

Manganese

Activates many enzymes of photosynthesis, respiration and N₂ metabolism. Acts as electron donor for chlorophyll b. Involved in decarboxylation reactions during respiration.

Molybdenum

Required for nitrogen fixation. Activates the enzyme nitrate reductase.

Boron

Increases the uptake of water and calcium. Essential for meristem activity and growth of pollen tube. Involved in translocation of carbohydrates.

Copper

Component of oxidase enzymes and plastocyanin. Involved in electron transport in photosynthesis.

Zinc

Component of indoleacetic acid – a plant hormone. Activates dehydrogenases and carboxylases. Present in enzyme carbonic anhydrase.

Chlorine

Essential for oxygen evolution in photosynthesis. Anion-cation balance in cells.