Question

Name at least five different deficiency symptoms in plants. Describe them and correlate them with the concerned mineral deficiency.

Answer 1

Hint: Plants require various types of minerals for their proper growth. Soil is the main source of the all type of material which is required for the growth. If there is any nutrient deficiency in soil it leads to deficiency these in the plant and show deficiency symptoms.

Complete Answer:
- There are two types of mineral nutrients: macronutrients and micronutrients.
- Macronutrients include nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and magnesium.
- Micronutrients include iron, boron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, chlorine and nickel. There are various types of deficiency occurring due to decrease in the amount of macro and micronutrients.

Below are the five deficiency symptoms:
(i) Chlorosis
(ii) Necrosis
(iii) Inhibition of cell division
(iv) Delayed flowering
(v) Stunted plant growth

(i) Chlorosis or decreasing the amount of chlorophyll leads to the yellowing of leaves. Concerned minerals for deficiencies of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, manganese, zinc, and molybdenum.
(ii) Necrosis is the death of plant tissues which is the result of the deficiencies of these minerals of calcium, magnesium, copper, and potassium.
(iii) Inhibition of cell division: Division or growth of the cells is stopped which is the result of the deficiencies of nitrogen, potassium, sulphur, and molybdenum.
(iv) Delayed flowering: flowering on the plant is late caused by the deficiencies of nitrogen, sulphur, and molybdenum.
(v) Stunted plant growth is due to the deficiencies of copper and sulphur.

Note: Some other deficiency symptoms: Nitrogen deficiency leads to improper protein synthesis, Disruption of metabolism (phosphorous), Decomposition of root epidermis (calcium), and Accumulation of urea in leaves (nickel).