Role of micronutrients in Crop Nutrition

Plants need at least sixteen essential nutrient elements for proper growth and development. Some nutrients, referred to as primary nutrients are required in large quantities. These are Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. Other nutrients that required in small and very small quantities are referred as secondary nutrients (Ca, Mg and S) and micronturients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo and Cl) respectively.

Being essential plant nutrients, all these elements have certain specific roles to play in the plant and their presence in a certain critical concentration is a must for a plant to complete its life cycle. The roles of micronutrients are wide-ranging from very simple to highly complex and with few exceptions are fairly specific for each particular nutrient.

Even though micronutrients are required in very small quantities, the deficiency of any of these nutrients cannot be corrected by the addition of another nutrient. Deficiency of any of the micronutrients ultimately results in poor growth and reduced yield levels. As agriculture has become increasingly intensive, the extent of nutrient deficiencies in the soil-plant system is increasing day by day. This makes it imperative to include deficient secondary and micronutrients in balanced fertilisation strategies along with N, P and K.

The roles of some of the micronutrients within the plant system are as follows:

Iron (Fe): Iron plays a vital role in the synthesis of chlorophyll, carbohydrate production, cell respiration, reduction of Nitrate sulphate and N assimilation.

Manganese (Mn): Manganese activates a number of enzymes. It is essential for splitting the water molecule during photosynthesis. It is also important in N metabolism and CO₂ assimilation.

Zinc (Zn): Zinc is essential for auxin and protein synthesis, seed production and proper maturity.

Copper (Cu): Copper is involved in chlorophyll formation and is a part of several important enzyme systems involved in proper growth and development of plant. It is also essential for the production of vitamin A and also encourages the reproduction process.

Boron (B): Boron is essential for membrane integrity, cell wall development, cell division and cell elongation. It is also required for the proper growth of pollen tube and for the process of reproduction.

Molybdenum (Mo): It is directly involved in protein synthesis and nitrogen fixation by legumes.

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