Plant Nutrients Classification

Question 1

Nitrogen (N)

Answer 1

Macro, Group 1, Mobile. Plants require it in greatest amounts and serve as constituent of many plant cell components (I.e. amino acids and nucleic acids)

Question 2

Sulfur (S)

Answer 2

Macro, Group 1, Immobile. Found in two amino acids (methionine and cysteine) and constituent of several coenzymes and vitamins essential of metabolism

Question 3

Phosphorus (P)

Answer 3

Macro, Group 2, Mobile. Integral component of important compounds of plant cells

Question 4

Silicon (Si)

Answer 4

Group 2. Beneficial to grasses and accumulates in the cell wall. May play a role in fending off fungal infections or preventing lodging

Question 5

Boron (B)

Answer 5

Micro, Group 2, Immobile. Evidence suggests that it plays roles in cell elongation, nucleic acid synthesis, hormone responses, and membrane function

Question 6

Potassium (K)

Answer 6

Macro, Group 3, Mobile. Plays an important role in regulation of osmotic potential of plant cells and activates many enzymes involved in respiration and photosynthesis

Question 7

Calcium (Ca)

Answer 7

Macro, Group 3, Immobile. Used in the synthesis of new cell walls and used in the mitotic spindle during cell division

Question 8

Magnesium (Mg)

Answer 8

Macro, Group 3, Mobile. Ions have a specific role in the activation of enzymes involved in respiration, photosynthesis, and DNA/RNA synthesis

Question 9

Chlorine (Cl)

Answer 9

Micro, Group 3, Mobile. Ions are required for the water-splitting reaction of photosynthesis through which oxygen is produced

Question 10

Manganese (Mn)

Answer 10

Micro, Group 3. Ions activate several enzymes, particularly involved in the tricarboxylic acid (Krebs) cycle

Question 11

Sodium (Na)

Answer 11

Mobile, Group 3. Essential for C4 plants

Question 12

Iron (Fe)

Answer 12

Micro, Group 4, Immobile. Component of enzymes involved in the transfer of electrons (Redox)

Question 13

Zinc (Zn)

Answer 13

Micro, Group 4, Mobile. Zinc ions are required by many enzymes for their activity and may be required for chlorophyll biosynthesis in some plants

Question 14

Copper (Cu)

Answer 14

Micro, Group 4, Immobile. Associated with enzymes involved in redox reactions

Question 15

Molybdenum (Mo)

Answer 15

Micro, Group 4, Mobile. Ions are components of several enzymes, including nitrate reductase and nitrogenase

Question 16

Nickel (Ni)

Answer 16

Micro, Group 4. Urease is the only known nickel-containing enzyme in higher plants