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| Nutrient |
Role in Plant Metabolism |
| N-Nitrogen |
Component of amino acids, nucleic acids, proteins, enzymes, chlorophyll and alkaloids. Stimulates vegetative growth. |
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| P-Phosphorus |
Regulates energy metabolism. Important constituent of cell membranes and nucleic acids. Promotes root growth and accelerates ripening. Improves firmness, red surface colour and storability of fruits.
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| K-Potassium |
Improves osmotic pressure of cells. Regulates water retention. Enhances resistance to frost and drought. Promotes sugar production and storage.
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| Ca-Calcium |
Responsible for structural and physiological stability of plant tissue. Promotes cell division (fruit size) and cell wall formation. Prevents physiological disorders of fruit and prolongs its shelf life.
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| Mg-Magnesium |
Structural part of the chlorophyll molecule. Stimulates photosynthesis.
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| Fe-Iron |
Important for chlorophyll formation. Promotes photosynthesis and protein metabolism. Involved in the respiration chain. |
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| Zn-Zinc |
Stimulates a series of important enzymes. Important for CO2-fixation and plant growth regulator synthesis. |
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| Mn-Manganese |
Extremely important for photosynthesis and N-metabolism. Improves green ground colour of fruit. Improves resistance to fungal diseases. |
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| B-Boron |
Important for cell wall stabilization. Improves sugar production and transport. Promotes pollen fertility and fruit set. Important for auxin metabolism. |
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| Cu-Copper |
Involved in sugar and protein production. Important for photosynthesis. Improves plant resistance to disease. |
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| Mo-Molybdenum |
Essential for activation of nitrate reductase. Key to nitrogen fixation in legumes.
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| S-Sulphur |
Constituent of some amino acids and hence of proteins.
Hence S-deficiency will lead to protein deficiency.
Important S-containing compounds are Glucosinolates which are of particular importance for horticulture and agriculture.
Glucosinolates are responsilble for the unique taste of many food plants like onions, mustard, radish, garlic, etc.
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| Co-Cobalt |
Cobalt is not essential for metabolism of plants and therefore not a plant nutrient.
But it is required for Rhizobium and other N2-fixing microorganisms growing within root nodules of legumes.
Co deficiency will affect nodule development.
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