From the Archives
of the Rare Fruit Council of Australia, inc.
Function of Nutrients Within The Plant
Boron
Boron is essential
to actively growing tissue in the new growth necessary for pollen
viability and good seed set. Boron deficiencies reduce the uptake of
calcium and inhibit the plants ability to use it.
Calcium
Calcium
is a secondary nutrient found in greatest amount in the cell walls. It
is used in cell division and influences nitrogen metabolism. It is
essential for the long life of fruit in store, and responsible for
neutralising acids produced in the plant and those taken up by the soil.
Deficiencies are caused by:
•
High nitrogen. High sodium • Poorly aerated soils • Low
calcium • Poor drainage • Exposed subsoils • Low pH
• Cold wet soils • Light and sandy soils.
Copper
Copper
is a major part of a necessary photosynthesis enzyme. It is very
important during the plant's reproductive stage. It helps the plant to
use the proteins made, seems necessary as a virus control, and stops
injured fruit trees from gumming. Deficiencies cause plants to become
low in Vitamin C and unable to produce seeds.
Deficiencies are caused by:
•
High nitrogen • High iron • Low organic matter • High
Phosphorus • Low zinc • High organic matter • High
manganese • High pH • Heavy rainfall • Light and sandy
soil.
Iron
Iron
promotes the formation of chlorophyll and also carries oxygen in the
sap. It requires high quantities of potassium to do its job.
Deficiencies are caused by:
High
nitrogen • High copper • iron, copper, manganese • High
phosphorus • High zinc • Low organic matter • Low
potassium • High pH • Poorly aerated soils High calcium
• High bicarbonates • Heavy rainfall • High manganese
• Cold, wet soils.
Magnesium
Magnesium
is a secondary nutrient and is a part of chlorophyll. It participates
actively in the work of enzymes and assists with translocation of
phosphorus. It is necessary for germination as it releases food to
enable the root to emerge. It forms fats and oils.
Deficiencies are caused by:
•
High nitrogen • Low pH • Cold, wet soils • High
phosphorus • High pH • Poorly aerated soils • High
potassium • High sodium • Exposed subsoils • High
calcium • Poor drainage • Light and sandy soils.
Manganese
Manganese
is a part of important enzymes involved in respiration and protein
synthesis, and makes the plant far more efficient in making food in
cloudy weather.
Deficiencies are caused by:
High iron •
High sodium • Cold, wet soils High copper • High organic
matter • Heavy manuring • High zinc • Poor drainage
• Heavy rainfall • Low pH • Drought • Light and
sandy soils • High pH.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum
is essential for nitrogen fixation by nodule bacteria in legumes. It is
essential for nitrogen reductase performance, and affects plant
maturity. It increases the number of seeds in pea and bean crops and
necessary for the manufacture of Vitamin C.
Deficiencies are caused by:
• High Manganese • Low pH • High copper • High sulphur.
Sulphur
Sulphur
is a secondary nutrient necessary for the formation of several amino
acids which are used to form protein. It also influences sugar
metabolism. It increases root growth and is essential for the
manufacture of the vitamins. It makes many other nutrients readily
assimilated. An excess can cause the plant to age before its time.
Sulphur is a constituent of many flavour and odour compounds in plants.
Deficiencies are caused by:
• High nitrogen • Low organic matter • Light and sandy soils • exposed subsoils.
Zinc
Zinc
is important as a catalyst for plant growth regulators and the use of
other nutrients. It affects plant maturity. It combines with vitamin B
taken up from the soil to form an essential high-grade protein that is
vital to our health. It also transforms carbohydrate sugars in the
plant.
Deficiencies are caused by:
• High phosphorus
• High organic matter • High magnesium • Exposed
subsoils • High pH • Light and sandy soils
Potassium
Potassium
is essential for photosynthesis, helps plants use nitrogen, improves
the colour and flavour of fruit and vegetables, improves the keeping
quality of fruit in storage, gives winter hardness to legumes and other
crops, makes healthy pollen; and is therefore vital to fruit trees. It
plays a major role in protecting plants from disease by promoting the
development of thick outer walls in the outer cells of plants.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus
goes to make, cellulose, the fibrous part of cell walls. It is
important for root crops as it stimulates root growth. It is important
in cold, wet soils, and in districts where the growing season is short,
as it hastens maturity. It stimulates blooming, aids in fruit and seed
formation and is needed for seeds to ripen. It also counteracts the
effects of nitrogen overdose. A deficiency results in poor pollination.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen
is needed by all cells. It is essential for reproduction and growth and
increases the yields and quality of leaf vegetables, fruits and seeds.
It forms proteins, makes flowers and is necessary for the growth of
pollen tubes. Too much nitrogen causes problems by causing deficiencies
in other elements. Strong chemical fertilizers can be too concentrated
and swamp the plant roots with soluble nitrogen. This is forced into
the plant and stops other substances being taken up, leading to various
deficiencies e. g. Vitamin C declines considerably with the excess
nitrogen fed to the plant.
Back to
Fertilizer Page
|
|