Mineral Nutrition

What are the three non-mineral essential nutrients obtained from water or carbon dioxide

Hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen

What is the difference between macronutrients and micronutrients

Macronutrients are required in larger amounts, while micronutrients are required in smaller amounts

What are the three possible nutrient concentration levels in soil

Deficient, adequate, and surplus

What are the three ways plants obtain nutrients from soil

From the soil solution, through cation exchange with soil particles, and through relationships with microbes

What is the primary biochemical function of nitrogen in plants

Nitrogen is a major component of amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll

How does nitrogen deficiency affect protein synthesis

Protein synthesis declines

How does nitrogen deficiency affect cell division

The rate of cell division decreases

How does nitrogen deficiency affect chlorophyll production

Chlorophyll synthesis declines, causing leaves to become light green or yellow

What is the primary biochemical function of sulfur in plants

Sulfur is a component of certain amino acids and proteins

Why is sulfur important for protein formation

It is needed to make sulfur-containing amino acids that are used to build proteins

What is the primary biochemical function of phosphorus in plants

Phosphorus is important for energy storage and transfer, particularly through ATP

What molecule is responsible for transferring energy within plant cells

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

Why is phosphorus important for cell division and plant growth

It is involved in energy transfer and the formation of DNA and RNA

What happens to sugars and anthocyanin production when phosphorus is deficient

Sugars accumulate, stimulating anthocyanin production and causing dark green to purple coloration

What is the primary function of silicon in plants

It contributes to cell wall development and structural strength

What happens to new growth when silicon is deficient

Cell wall development is inhibited

How does silicon help protect plants

It helps strengthen plant tissues, making plants less susceptible to fungal infections

What is the primary biochemical function of boron in plants

Boron is important for cell wall formation and structural integrity

What plant processes are affected by boron deficiency

Shoot tip development, flowering, and seed development

Why does boron deficiency affect growing points

Boron is important for the development of actively growing tissues

What is the primary biochemical function of potassium in plants

Potassium regulates enzyme activity, osmotic balance, and stomatal opening and closing

How does potassium help regulate water movement

It helps control osmotic pressure and water movement in plant cells

Why is potassium important for stomatal function

Potassium movement in guard cells controls their turgor pressure, allowing stomata to open and close

What is the primary biochemical function of calcium in plants

Calcium is important for cell wall structure and membrane stability

What structural component of the cell wall requires calcium

Calcium pectate, which helps hold cell walls together

Why does calcium deficiency cause brittle cell walls

Calcium is needed to maintain cell wall strength and integrity

Why does calcium deficiency affect young leaves and growing points first

Calcium is relatively immobile within the plant and is needed by actively growing tissues

What is the primary biochemical function of magnesium in plants

Magnesium is the central atom in the chlorophyll molecule

Why is magnesium necessary for photosynthesis

It is required for chlorophyll, which captures light energy

What other important biochemical function does magnesium perform

It activates many plant enzymes, including enzymes involved in energy metabolism

What is the biochemical function of chlorine in photosynthesis

Chlorine is required for water splitting during the light reactions of photosynthesis

What process does chlorine help support during the light reactions

The splitting of water, which provides electrons for photosynthesis

What is the primary biochemical function of manganese in plants

Manganese is involved in enzyme activation and the water-splitting process during photosynthesis

Why is manganese important during photosynthesis

It helps the plant split water and release electrons during the light reactions

Why do C4 and CAM plants require sodium

Sodium is required for carbon fixation and helps recycle PEP (phosphoenolpyruvate)

What is the role of sodium in C3 plants

It may help with cell expansion and can sometimes substitute for potassium

What is the primary biochemical function of iron in plants

Iron is involved in electron transport and redox reactions

Why is iron important for photosynthesis and respiration

It is part of proteins involved in electron transport

What is the primary biochemical function of zinc in plants

Zinc is an enzyme activator and is involved in enzyme function and protein synthesis

Why is zinc important for plant growth

It supports enzyme activity and processes involved in growth and development

What is the biochemical function of copper in photosynthesis

Copper is part of the plastocyanin molecule

What does plastocyanin do during the light reactions of photosynthesis

It accepts electrons from plastoquinone and transfers them through the electron transport chain

What enzyme complex requires nickel

Urease

What does the urease enzyme do

It breaks down urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide

Why is nickel important for nitrogen fixation

It is required by Rhizobium bacteria for the nitrogen fixation process

What happens when plants are deficient in nickel

Urea accumulates in leaves, which can cause leaf tip necrosis

What other processes is nickel important for

Seed development and iron utilization

What is the primary biochemical function of molybdenum in plants

It is a component of enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism

Why is molybdenum important for nitrogen utilization

It is required for nitrate reductase, which converts nitrate into nitrite during nitrate assimilation

Why is molybdenum important for nitrogen fixation

It is a component of nitrogenase, the enzyme responsible for converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia

How do anions behave around negatively charged soil particles

They are repelled and generally remain in the soil solution

How do anions enter plant roots

Through bulk flow of water

Give two examples of anions that enter plants through the soil solution

Nitrate and chloride

How do cations interact with negatively charged soil particles

They can be adsorbed to soil particles and exchanged with other cations or hydrogen ions

What happens to phosphorus in some soils containing aluminum and iron

Phosphate can become bound to aluminum or iron, reducing its availability

What soil pH range provides the best availability for most nutrients

Approximately 5

5–6

5

What happens to the availability of P, K, Mn, B, Mg, Fe, and Zn when soil pH is above 7

Their availability decreases

What are mycorrhizae

Fungi that form an association with plant roots

How do fungal hyphae help plants absorb nutrients

They extend farther into soil pores than root hairs, increasing the area available for nutrient absorption

What do plants provide mycorrhizal fungi

Carbon

What do mycorrhizal fungi provide plants

Soil nutrients and improved water absorption

What are the two main types of mycorrhizal fungi

Ectomycorrhizal and endomycorrhizal fungi

Where do ectomycorrhizal fungi grow in relation to plant roots

They form a net around the root surface, with some hyphae penetrating the root cortex

What nutrients do ectomycorrhizal fungi help plants absorb

Particularly phosphorus

Where do endomycorrhizal fungi grow

Within root cells

What are arbuscules responsible for

Transferring nutrients to plant cells

What are vesicles associated with

A possible reproductive function

What nutrients can vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae help plants absorb

Phosphate, nitrogen, zinc, copper, and water

What are signs of nitrogen deficiency?

General chlorosis of older leaves, firing, defoliation

Nitrogen deficiency

Nitrogen deficiency

Nitrogen deficiency

What are signs of potassium deficiency?

Marginal chlorosis of older leaves, and marginal necrosis

Potassium deficiency

Potassium deficiency

What are signs of phosphorous deficiency?

Base to top, darker green to purple of older leaves, stunted.

Phosphorous deficiency

What are signs of magnesium deficiency?

Interveinal chlorosis of older leaves, veins remain green

Magnesium deficiency

Magnesium deficiency

What are signs of calcium deficiency?

Top to base, tip/bud necrosis, deformed leaves and fruit/flowers

Calcium deficiency

Calcium deficiency

What are signs of sulfur deficiency?

General necrosis of newer leaves, smaller leaves, stunted

Sulfur deficiency

Sulfur deficiency

What are signs of iron deficiency?

Interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves

Iron deficiency

What are signs of manganese?

Interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves, severe is interveinal necrosis and shot holes

Manganese deficiency

Manganese deficiency

What are signs of zinc deficiency?

Interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves

Zinc deficiency

Zinc deficiency

What are signs of boron deficiency?

Top to base, tip/ bud necrosis, deformation of leaves, fruit or flowers

Boron deficiency

Boron deficiency