1.Macronutrients are element required by plants in relatively large amounts.

2.In the water culture method, macronutrients are needed in a few hundred parts per million. 3.Carbon(C),hydrogen(H),and oxygen(O) are macronutrients that can be easily obtained from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and water from the soil.

1.Micronutrients are elements that are required by platnts in small quantities.These micronutrients are :

2.In the water culture method, quantities of micronutrients that are as little as one part per million. 3.To determine which elements are required for normal growth ,plants seedlings are grown as Knops solution.

Calcium nitrate (Ca(NO 3)2) Potassium nitrate Potassium dihydrogen phosphate(KH2PO4)

0.8g 0.2g 0.2g

Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4)

Ferum(iii)phosphate(FEPO4) Distilled water

0.2g
Trace 1000cm3

To examine the effects of the lack of

calcium,the calcium nitrate in knops solution is replaced with sodium nitrate. The growth of this plant can be compared to the growth another plant that is grown in the complete knopsolution. the absence of one or more of these nutrients can lead to mineral deficiencies in plants.

Macronutrient Phosphorus

functions
~Synthesis of nucleic acids,adenosine triphosphates(ATP) and phospolipids of plasma membrane. ~Acts as a coenzyme in photosynthesis and respiration. ~Protein synthesis carbohydrates metabolism and as a cofactor for many enzymes. ~Maintains turgidity in plants. ~A major constituent of the middle lamella of cell walls. ~Formation of spindle fibres during cell division. ~Synthesis of chlorophyll. ~Activates many plants enzymes. ~Involved in carbohydrate metabolism.

Effects of deficiencies
~Poor root growth. ~Formation of dull,dark green leaves.

Potassium

~Reduce protein synthesis ~Yellow-edged leaves. ~Premature death of plants. ~Stunted growth . ~leaves become distorted and cupped. ~Areas between leaf veins become yellow. ~Yellowing of the regions between the veins of mature leaves(chlorosis). ~Red spots on leaves surfaces. ~Leaves become cupped. ~General yellowing the affected of leaves or the entire plant.

calcium

Magnesium

Sulphur

~Synthesis of certain amino acids and nucleic acids. ~Synthesis of vitamin B and some coenzymes.

MICRONUTRIENT Boron

FUNCTIONS
~Aids in calcium ion uptake by roots and translocation of sugars. ~Involved in carbohydrate metabolism. ~Aids in germination of pollen grains. ~Required for normal mitotic cell division the meristems. ~An important component of enzymes. ~Involved in nitrogen metabolism and photosynthesis. ~Important for reproductive growth and flower formation in plants.

EFFECTS OF DEFICIENCIES
~Death of terminal buds . ~abnormal plant growth. ~Leaves become thick, curled and brittle. ~Death young shoot tips. ~Brown spots appear on terminal leaves. ~Plants are stunted.

Copper

Iron

~A cofactor in the synthesis of chlorophyll. ~Essential for young growing plants.

~Yellowing of young leaves.

Manganese

~An activator of enzyme in photosynthesis ,respiration and nitrogen metabolism.

~A network of green veins on alight green background. ~Brown or grey spots between the veins. ~Chlorosis in the areas between the veins of mature leaves. ~Pale green leaves. ~Reduction in crop yields. ~Mottled leaves with irregular areas of chlorosis. ~Retarded growth.

Molybdenum

~Involved in nitrogen fixation. ~Reduction of nitrates during photosynthesis.

Zinc

~Formation of leaves. ~Synthesis of auxin(a type of growth hormone in plants). ~Acts as a cofactor in carbohydrates metabolism.

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