Why Is Micronutrient Important For Plant Growth?

Micronutrients are essential for plant growth and play an important role in balanced crop nutrition. They include boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and chloride (Cl). They are as important to plant nutrition as primary and secondary macronutrients, though plants don't require as much of them. A lack of any one of the micronutrients indicates a deficiency. Plants also need macronutrients.

There are six primary nutrients that plants require. Plants get the first three—carbon, hydrogen and oxygen—from air and water. The other three are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Nitrogen helps plants make the proteins they need to produce new tissues.

Phosphorus stimulates root growth, helps the plant set buds and flowers, improves vitality and increases seed size. It does this by helping transfer energy from one part of the plant to another. To absorb phosphorus, most plants require a soil pH of 6.5 to 6.8. Organic matter and the activity of soil organisms also increase the availability of phosphorus.

Potassium improves overall vigour of the plant. It helps the plants make carbohydrates and provides disease resistance. It also helps regulate metabolic activities. There are three additional nutrients that plants need, but in much smaller amounts:

Calcium is used by plants in cell membranes, at their growing points and to neutralize toxic materials. In addition, calcium improves soil structure and helps bind organic and inorganic particles

Differentiate between macro and micro elements. Compare the macro elements needed by plants and animals (refer pages 180-181; table 5.1 in Siyavula). Complete summary in writing

Plants are able to absorb some nutrients in a particular form for example nitrogen as nitrates, phosphorous as phosphates and also the products of the nitrogen cycle. Discuss the role of fertilisers in the food industry in relation with the statement above and write down your own