R2102 3.1 Describe the range of nutrients required for plant growth

Question 1

Major nutrients

Answer 1

1. Nitrogen (N)
2. Phosphorus (P)
3. Potassium (K)
4. Magnesium (Mg)
5. Calcium (Ca)
6. Sulphur (S)

Question 2

Major nutrients (6)

Answer 2

1. Nitrogen (N)
2. Phosphorus (P)
3. Potassium (K)
4. Magnesium (Mg)
5. Calcium (Ca)
6. Sulphur (S)

Question 3

Minor nutrients (6)

Answer 3

1. Iron (Fe)
2. Manganese (Mn)
3. Copper (Cu)
4. Molybdenum (Mo)
5. Boron (B)
6. Zinc (Zn)

Question 4

Nitrogen: role & deficiency

Answer 4

Role: Mobile nutrient. Associated with leafy (vegetative) growth. It is the basis of all plant proteins. It is easily leeched from soil

Deficiency: Spindly growth / chlorosis affecting old leaves first. Poor fruit and flower production

Excess: Can produce high salt concentrations at the root and can easily be lost be being leeched.

Question 4

Nitrogen: role & deficiency

Answer 4

Role: Mobile nutrient. Associated with leafy (vegetative) growth. It is the basis of all plant proteins. It is easily leeched from soil

Deficiency: Spindly growth / chlorosis affecting old leaves first. Poor fruit and flower production

Excess: Can produce high salt concentrations at the root and can easily be lost be being leeched.

Question 5

Phosphorus: role & deficiency

Answer 5

Role: Immobile nurtrient. Production of ATP. Important for root growth, especially in seedlings. Also needed for ripening of fruit

Build up in regularly fertilised soils so deficiency is rare.

Deficiency: Dull blue-green leaves, leaves fall, fewer and small flowers / fruit

Excess: Interferes with development of mycorrhiza

Question 6

Potassium: role & deficiency

Answer 6

Role: Mobile. Good flower and fruit formation. It is involved in secondary thickening of cell walls. Increase protein synsthesis from Nitrogen. Acts as an osmotic regulator e.g. Stomata

Cause plants to grow coarse tough vegetation more resistant to disease and winter hardened - explains its use as in autumn lawn feeds.

Deficiency: Poor fruit, leaf scorch, leaves often bronzed and rolled

Question 7

Magnesium: role & deficiency

Answer 7

Role: Required for correct functioning of photosynthesis and movement of phosphorous in the plant. Basic consitituent of Chlorophyll

Deficiency: All leaves suffer from inter-veinal chlorosis

Question 8

Calcium: role & deficiency

Answer 8

Role: Major constituent of cell walls and needed for meristematic activity. Influences the acidity of the soil.

Deficiency: Weak cell walls, necrotic tissue, inward curling, pale young leaves. Tulip topple where flower head cannot be supported by the stem.

Question 9

Sulphur: Roles and deficiency

Answer 9

Role: Required for production of chlorophyll. Constituent of plant amino-acids. Rarely deficient in UK,

Deficiency: Chlorosis of leaves - younger leaves first

Question 10

Iron: Roles & deficiency

Answer 10

Role: Involved in chlorophyll production and so vital to photosynthesis. It is a constituent of plant enzymes

Deficiency: Yellowing between the leaf viens with browning on leaf edges on acid loving plants - ‘lime induced chlorosis’

Question 11

Other trace elements

Answer 11

1. Manganese - found in soil. Used for protein synthesis, enzyme reactions and respiration
2. Copper - Involved in correct functioning of enzymes. Found in some soils
3. Molydbenum - helps uptake of nitrogen and in root nodule activity
4. Boron - Mineral tourmaline provides borate in both organic and mineral forms to plants. Aids plant growth.
5. Zinc - found in some soils and promotes plant growth

Rarely deficient in UK soils