Question

Name one function and one deficiency symptom of the following elements: (i) nitrogen; (ii) iron; (iii) calcium; (iv) molybdenum; (v) manganese; (vi) boron; (vii) zinc; (viii) magnesium; (ix) chlorine; (x) sulphur.

Answer 1

(i) Nitrogen : an integral part of amino acids and chlorophyll; stunted growth and general yellowing.

(ii) Iron : constituent of ferredoxin and cytochromes; interveinal chlorosis in younger leaves.

(iii) Calcium : formation of middle lamella in cell walls; stunted growth.

(iv) Molybdenum: nitrogen metabolism; chlorotic interveinal molting of leaves.

(v) Manganese: activates enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis and nucleic acid metabolism; leaf flecking.

(vi) Boron: mobilisation of nutrients; abnormal growth and death of shoot tips. (vii) Zinc: activates enzymes like dehydrogenases; interveinal chlorosis of older leaves.

(viii) Magnesium: an integral part of chlorophyll molecule; extensive interveinal chlorosis and necrotic spots.

(ix)Chlorine: maintains anion-cation balance in cells; stunted growth.

(x) Sulphur : an important ingredient of organic compounds like sulphur containing amino acids (e.g., cystine, cysteine, methionine), coenzyme A, ferredoxin and vitamins thiamin and biotin; general yellowing of leaves, first noticed in younger leaves.