Dr.

Ali

CHAPTER - 12 MINERAL NUTRITION

Carbohydrates
Like
Proteins
All Living Require macromolecules and
Organisms The basic needs are essentially
same in all living organisms
Fats
Minerals
H2O

12.1 Methods to study the Mineral requirements of Plants

In defined nutrients b
a c Since 1860
solution without soil It is the technique of
Demonstrated that growing plants in defined Various improved
plants could be nutrients solution in methods have been used
grown to maturity complete absence of soil
German To determine the mineral
Botanist 1st Time
nutrients essential for plants

Julius von Sachs 1860 d

Need pure water + Mineral
Hydroponics Nutrients salts
e After a series
of experiments Significance
Roots g Gives idea about
are immersed role of minerals
To have optimum
In Nutrients solution f growth of plants Deficiency
symptoms &
an element disease
added
Solution Concentration of Commercial
Or
Wherein must be minerals in solution to production of
an element vegetables
removed adequetly be maintained constant
aerated Like
Or
Elements
Seedles Lettuce
given in
Cucumber Tomato
varied conc.
Ultimately a mineral
n
sol suitable for plant Cotton Aerating
growth was obtained tube
Funnel for
adding water Nutrient
and nutrients Nutrient solution
solution Pump
Figure: Nutrient Film growth system
Figure Diagram of a typical set-up for
nutrient solution culture

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 Dr. Ali
More than 60 elements are
found in different plants
a b c
Out of discovered Some plants
Through Roots
105 elements accumulate
Most of the minerals present
in soil can enter the plants Selenium Gold

d
12.2 Essential e

Some Plants
Mineral elements Techniques
are available
Growing near To detect
nuclear test sites f the minerals
Gold, Selenium Even very low conc.
Take up radio-
are not essential
-active Strontium
mineral elements. (10-8 g/ ml)

12.2.1 Criteria for Minerals Essentiality

Absolute Necessity
Specificity/No replacement Direct involvement
The element must be absolutely
necessary for normal growth Deficiency of element Play direct role in
and reproduction. In the absence cannot be met by giving plant metabolism
of element plants cannot complete some other element
life cycle or produce seeds

Essential elements = 17

Macronutrients = 9 Micronutrients = 8
►Large amount in plant tissues (Trace elements)
[in excess of 10 mmole / Kg dry matter ► Needed in less amount
►Eg. C, H, O, P, N, S, Ca, Mg, K (less than 10 mmole / Kg
dry matter
►C, H & O are mainly obtained form CO2, H2O
► Mn, Cu, Zn, B,
►Other minerals are absorbed from soil. Mo, Cl, Fe, Ni

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Beneficial Elements
Eg Not needed
Sodium by all
higher plants
Silicon
Cobalt
Selenium

4 Broad categories
of essential elements

Based on functions

Components of Part of energy Enzyme activator Osmotic potential

Biomolecules, related chemical on inhibitor changers
So, structural e.g
compounds · Mg+ 2 in RuBisCO, e.g
elements of cells e.g +
e.g · Mg in Chl. PEPcase K in stomatal
C, H, O, N · P in ATP · Mo in Nitrogenase movement
· Zn+2 in Alcohol
dehydrogenase

a 12.2.2 Role of Macro b

and Micro - nutrients
Several functions
Constituents of
Participate in metabolic
c processes in plant cells Macromolecules Co-enzymes

Permeability of cell membrane

Maintenance of Osmotic conc. of cell-sap

Like Electron Transport System (ETS)

Buffering action

Enzymatic activity

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 Dr. Ali
Absorbed as
b · NH4+
a
Needed in
greatest amount N · NO2-
· NO - 3

Absorbed mainly
by plants

Needed by all Major components of

parts of plants
But Proteins
Particularly DNA
c d Nucleic
by acid RNA
Vitamins
Meristems Metabolically
Active cells Hormons

Meristem Buds Leaves Root tip

By

Needed in More
a Absorbed as K+ b abundant quantities

K
c Roles

Maintain cation-anion Opening and Activation Maintain cells

balance closing stomata of enzymes turgidity

P
Absorbed as Roles
phosphate ions Components of Needed for
either Phosphorylation
Cell membrane
2- Certain proteins
H2PO4- HPO4
Nucleic acids
Nucleotides

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 Dr. Ali
Meristems Differentiating
tissues In older leaves
by c
Absorbed
a Required Accumulates
as Ca+2 b

In cell division
Ca
d Activates certain
Synthesis of Needed in Role enzymes
new cell wall, mitotic
particularly spindle
Ca - pectate in formation Regulating
Normal functioning Metabolic activities
middle lamella of cell membrane

Mg
Absorbed Role
as Mg+2

Activates the Involved in Part of ring Maintains the

enzymes of synthesis of structure of Chl. Structure of Ribosome

Respiration Photosynthesis DNA RNA

Nucleic acid

S
Absorbed as Role
sulphate (SO4-2)

Present in 2 Main part of

Amino acids

Several
Vitamins Ferredoxin
Cysteine Methionine Co-enzymes
Thiamine
Biotin
Co-enzyme A

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 Dr. Ali
Absorbed as Ferric In respect of other micronutrients it is
ions (Fe+3) absorbed in the larger amount

a Fe b
c
Role
Fe+2 Imp. part of proteins Needed for
chlorophyll
Involved in e transfer Activates formation
e e
catalase enzyme
Fe+3 Cytochrome
Eg
Ferredoxin

Photosy- Respiration N-meta-

a
nthesis bolism
Absorbed as manganous
ions (Mn+2) Mn b
Involved in
Many enzymes
Activates

Best defined function

c Photolyis of water in photosynthesis

H2O 2H+ +2 ē + ½ O2 b
e.g
a Carboxylase
Absorbed
as Zn+2 Zn Activates various
enzymes

Needed in
c
Auxin Synthesis

a b
Absorbed as Essential for
cupric ions
[Cu+2] Cu overall
metabolism
c
Cu+ Associated with
certain enzymes
e e Involved in
redox reactions
Cu+2

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 Dr. Ali

B
Absorbed Role
+2
as Required for Ca
uptake and utilization
-2
BO3-3 B4O7 Membrane function
Division
Cell Elongation
Differentiation
Pollen germination
Carbohydrate translocation

a b
Mo
Absorbed as Component
Molybdate of enzymes
-2
ions (MoO2 ) Like

Nitrate Nitrogenase
reductase

Involved in N-Metabolism

b
a
K+ Determination
Absorbed Na+ of solute conc.
as Cl- +
Cl- cation- anion
balance

Cl
Mn+2
c H2O 2H+ + 2ē + O2
Cl-
Photolysis of water in light
reaction on photosynthesis

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 Dr. Ali

Critical Concentration Deficient element

It is that conc. of essential a b Below critical conc.
elements below which element is said
growth of plant decreases to be deficient

12.2.3
(i) Deficiency Symptoms
Certain morphological of essential elements
changes are indicative (iv)
of deficiency of certain Deprivation
elements c of element
Deficiency continues
Symptoms
Because each mineral
has one or more (ii) (iii) Plant dies
structural or functional These symptoms
role The deficiency disappear
symptoms vary If
from element
to element Deficient mineral
is supplied to plant

To identify the deficient element

We must study all symptoms developed in all parts of plant

and compare them with the available standards table

Because

The same symptom

Deficiency
of any element
can cause multiple May be caused by the
symptoms deficiency of one of the
several elements

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 Dr. Ali

The parts of plants that show

deficiency symptoms
Depend
On the mobility of elements

Mobile Nutrients Immobile Nutrients

In older tissues
Such elements
[e.g older and
do not exit from
Senescent leaves]
older tissues as
such elements are
Biomolecules structural parts of cells
are broken down

Elements are directed towards Deficiency symptoms

younger tissue e.g young leaves. 1st appear on
younger tissue
So, Deficiency symptoms e.g
appear 1st on old part of plant Ca, Fe, S, Mn, B, Cu.
e.g N, P, K, Zn, Mg, Mo

This aspect of mineral nutrition of plants is of great significance and importance

To

Agriculture Horticulture

Chlorosis
Necrosis
[Loss of Chl]
[death of tissue]
Due to
Due to
N K S Fe
Ca Mg Cu K
Mn Zn Mg Mo
deficiency
deficiency
Types of
deficiency
symptoms
Inhibition of Delayed
cell division flowering
Due to Due to
N K S Mo Mo S N
deficiency deficiency

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 Dr. Ali

· Requirement of micronutrients - always Conclusion

low in amount There is a narrow range
a
· Moderate $ causes deficiency symptoms. of concentration at which
· Moderate # causes toxicity symptoms. the elements are optimum

12.2.4 Toxicity
of Micronutrients
Any mineral ion conc.
in tissues that To identify the c
toxicity symptoms
Reduces 10%
b
dry wt. of tissue Difficult

Is considered Because
as toxic level

Toxic levels for Excess of Functions of

any element micronutrients other elements
get disturbed
Vary for Causes

Different plants Interference in the

absorption of
other element

Prominent Symptoms

Mn- Toxicity Brown spot surrounded

by chlorotic vein

Causes

Binding of Mg Ca-translocation
Uptake of
with enzymes to shoot apex
Mg, Fe = ¯
Prevented Inhibited

So, symptoms of Mn - toxicity may

Actually be the deficiency symptoms of

Mg Fe Ca

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 Dr. Ali
Tissues
Cells Organs

In isolated
Carried out

Much of studies
a

12.3 Mechanism of
absorption of mineral
b
Has 2 phases

Initial phases / Apoplastic Metabolic phase/

Minerals absorption symplastic minerals
absorption
Passive Rapid Ions Through
process Process uptake into ion Active Needs Slow Minerals
apoplast channels Process ATP process taken from
(free space apoplast
or outer space to symplast
of cell) Are trans Act as
membrane selective (Inner space of cell)
proteins pores

Minerals
Cell
Minerals Infflux
(Entry of minerals
Efflux
(Exit of Minerals)

Flux
[Movement of ions]

12.4 Translocation of Minerals

Proved by the use
of Radioisotopes
of Minerals
Water + Minerals
Transported through Xylem
Under transpiration

So, Xylem is the path for minerals

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 Dr. Ali

12.5 Soil as Reservior of essential elements

Weathering and breaking of rocks

As minerals are derived
from rock minerals. Enrich the soil with dissolved
So, role of minerals in ions and inorganic salts
plants nutrition is
called Mineral Nutrition Available to roots for growth
and development of plants
Plants

Minerals N2- fixing

H2O Air (O2) Other
bacteria microbes

Supplies a
soil
Functions b
Soil harbours
of soil

Soil Acts as Matrix/Fixative

Stablises the plant

Crop - yield

Affects

Deficiency of
essential
minerals in soil
Cropyield = ­ b

Result Needs Supply of Fertilizers

Have

Macronutrients Micronutrients
(N,P,K,S etc.) (Fe,Cu, Zn, Mn)

Applied in soil as per need

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 Dr. Ali

12.6 Metabolism of Nitrogen

b
Amino Acids, Proteins,
Hormones, Chlorophyll, ATP,
a Vitamins
After C, H, O c
N is the Nitrogen is the part of
most prevalent In soil Nitrogen is a
element in limiting Nutrient
living organisms

Nitrogen Cycle

d e

Lightning and UV- rays Industrial combustions,

g h forest fire, automobiles,
provide enough energy
Ammonification Nitrification power-generating stations
To convert
N2 Nitrogen oxides Are source of atmospheric
(NO, NO2, N2O) Nitrogen oxide.

ATMOSPHERIC N2

Biological Industrial Electrical Denitrification

N2 fixation N2 fixation N2 fixation

_ _
NH3 NO2 NO3
Soil 'N' Pool

(Ammonification) (Uptake)

Decaying biomass Plant biomass

Animal biomass

Nitrogen Cycle

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 Dr. Ali

Ammonification
Dead
Ammonifying bacteria
Plants Organic Nitrogenous NH3
Animals compounds like proteins

Nitrification
NH3

Some NH3 O2 O2
NH3 NO2 NO3
Volatilises and re-enters Nitrosamonas, Nitrobacter
Nitrococcus
Into Atmosphere Chemosynthetic Bacteria

NO3
Root Stem
in Soils

Leaf

Denitrification
NO3 NO2
Pseudomonas, Thiobaccillus
N2- Biological fixation
H
N2 NH3
Only certain Certain prokaryotes
prokaryotes
This reaction
can use it b needs Nitrogenese
In Air 78% N2 Present in N2 fixers
Biological
a Nitrogen-fixations
c
N2- fixing Microbes

Free living Symbiotic

Aerobic Anaeobic
e.g Azotobacter e.g
Beijernickia Rhodospirillum, Bacillus
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Cyanobacteria

E.g [Anabaena and Nostoc] = Aerobic

Free living and Symbiotic

Symbiotic biological
Nitrogen-fixation

Legume Root-Bacteria Non-legume Root

relationship bacteria relationship
Most prominent / Frankia (Filamentous
Best example bacteria) present
Rod shaped Rhizobium in roots of Alnus
bacteria present in Garden pea
root of legume plants
Sweet pea

Lentils

Like Alfalfa

Broad bean

Sweet clover

Clover bean

Nodules harbour Rhizobium Legume crops restore

as endosymbiont b fertility of agricultural soil
a
by N2 - fixation
Legumes develop
root nodules
Root - Nodule

If before flowering a pulse plant is uprooted

Almost spherical shaped + pink colored

c outgrowths (Nodule) present on root

Anatomy of Nodule shows that its central part is red / pink

due to leg-haemoglobin (Leguminous haemoglobin)

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Rhizobium
Free living in soil Aerobic Non-fuctional Nitrogenase

Symbiotic with
Anaerobic Functional Nitrogenase
Legume-root

Nodule formation
It involves a sequence Rhizobium
of multiple interactions b/w
Root of Host plant

Rhizobium bacteria multiply and colonise near root hairs.

These bacteria get attached to epidermal and root hair cells

Root hairs curl

Bacteria invade root hair cells.

Infection thread is produced

Threads carry bacteria into the inner cortex of root

Bacteria get modified into rod shaped str. called Bacteroids

Bacteria exit the infection thread

Inner cortical cells + pericycle cells divide. The divided cells

differentiate and specialised to be Nitrogen fixing cells

Thus nodules are formed

Nodule establishes a direct vascular

connection for Nutrients exchange

Hook
Soil
Particles

Root Infection
hair thread
containing
Bacteria bacteria
Bacteria Inner cortex and Mature
pericycle cells Nodule
under division

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Requirements for
Nitrogen fixation

Nitrogenase enzyme Reducing Agents Source of energy Leg - Hb

Eg. ATP from

It has Highly Needs
NADPH2 respiration
Mo-Fe sensitive anaerobic
protein to oxygen condition FMNH2

Phytoglobin

Red / Pink colored

Fe containing protein

Leg -hemoglobin Present in Root Nodules

Has O2 - binding capacity

O2 - scavanger

Protects Nitrogens from O2

Reaction leading N2 - fixation

N2 + 8e- + 8H+ + 16ATP 2NH3 + H2 + 16ADP +16Pi

Substrate Prodcut
[nitrogen gas (N2)] [ammonia (NH3)]

Reduction

Reduction Reduction Release

of products

Enzyme Binding of+2H +2H +2H

(nitrogenase) Substrate Free nitrogenase
can bind another
molecule of N2

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 Dr. Ali

b Most of Plants Assimilate NO3, NH+4

a
Quite toxic
Proton (H+) +
NH3 NH 4 Fate of NH3 So cannot
Physiological pH
accumulate
in Plants

So, NH+4 Change

c There are 2 methods of use of
+
NH 4 to form Amino acids in plant
Into amino acid

1st Method (Reductive Amination)

In this process, ammonia reacts with -ketoglutaric acid to form glutamic acid.

NADPH2 NADP
+ +
-Ketoglutaric acid Glutamic acid (Amino acid)
Glutamate dehydrogenase +
(organic acid) H2O
+
NH4+

2nd Method (Transamination)

It involves the transfer of amino group of one
amino acid to the keto group of keto acid.

The enzyme required is transaminase

or aminotransferase.

Glutamic acid is the main amino acid from which other

17 amino acids are formed through transamination.

H H
R1 C COO + R2 C COO R1 C COO R2 C COO
=

+
O O NH3+
Amino donor Amino acceptor

Transaminase
Glutamic acid + Oxaloacetic acid Aspartic acid + a-Ketoglutaric acid
(AA) (Organic acid) (AA)
NH2

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Double aminated compound.

NH3
Contain more nitrogen than amino acids
NH4
Form the structural part of most proteins.

for AA forAmide
The two important amides found in formation formation
plants are asparagine and glutamine.

They are formed from two amino acids

Amides namely glutamic acid and aspartic acid.

During amide formation, the hydroxyl part

of the acid is replaced by another NH-2 radicle.

Amide is more stable than amino acid.

Storage of excess nitrogen.

Transportation of amide to other parts of plants

through xylem vessel along with transpiration stream.

+ Asparagine
Aspartic acid + NH4 + ATP Asparagine + ADP + Pi
Synthetase
+
Glutamic acid + NH4 + ATP Glutamine synthetase Glutamine + ADP + Pi

a b
Some plants e.g
N
soyabean fixe Has =­
Nitrogen as ureides C

Ureides

Transport
c Root nodule other parts
Transpiration stream

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