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Knowing nutrient mobility is helpful in

diagnosing plant nutrient deficiencies
Ron Goldy, Michigan State University Extension - November 14, 2013

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Nutrients important for plant growth vary in their ability to move within the plant.
Knowing how they move can be helpful when diagnosing deficiency problems.

Seventeen elements have been identified as vital to plant growth. Three elements,
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, are non-minerals and the other 14 (Table 1) are minerals.
Carbon and oxygen enter plants through leaves as carbon dioxide. Oxygen also enters
plants with hydrogen through roots as water. The other 14 must be dissolved in soil
water and enter the plant as roots take up water. Mineral elements can further be
divided into primary or secondary macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients
are those needed in relatively large amounts while micronutrients, as their name
implies, are needed in small amounts. However, a deficiency in any vital element can
seriously inhibit plant development.

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 Table
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growth and their speed andmobility

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Mobile
Macronutrients Symbol in Role in plant
plant

Primary

Formation of amino acids, vitamins and

Nitrogen N Yes
proteins; cell division

Energy storage and transfer; cell growth;

Phosphorous P Yes root and seed formation and growth;
winter hardiness; water use

Carbohydrate metabolism, breakdown and

translocation; water efficiency; fruit
Potassium K Yes
formation; winter hardiness; disease
resistance

Secondary

Cell division and formation; nitrogen

Calcium Ca No
metabolism; translocation; fruit set

Chlorophyll production; phosphorus

Magnesium Mg Yes
mobility; iron utilization; fruit maturation

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 Amino
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Sulfur S speedNo vitamin
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Micronutrients

Pollen grain germination and tube growth;

Boron B No seed and cell wall formation; maturity
promotion; sugar translocation

Chlorine Cl Yes Role not well understood

Metabolic catalyst; functions in

photosynthesis and reproduction;
Copper Cu No
increases sugar; intensifies color; improves
flavor

Chlorophyll formation; oxygen carrier; cell

Iron Fe No
division and growth

Involved in enzyme systems; aids

Manganese Mn No
chlorophyll synthesis; P and CA availability

Nitrate reductase formation; converts

Molybdenum Mo Yes
inorganic phosphates to organic

Nitrogen metabolism and fixation; disease

Nickel Ni Yes
tolerance

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 Hormone
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Zinc Zn speedNo production;
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Once inside plants, nutrients are transported to where they are needed, typically to
growing points. Once incorporated by the plant, some elements can be immobile while
others can be remobilized. Immobile elements essentially get locked in place and that
is where they stay. Those that can be remobilized can leave their original location and
move to areas of greater demand. Knowing which are mobile or immobile is helpful in
diagnosing deficiency symptoms.

Since immobile elements do not easily move within the plant, when deficiency
symptoms occur they show up in new growth (Photo 1). When mobile elements
become limiting, they can be scavenged from older growth and moved to where they
are most needed, causing deficiency symptoms in older growth (Photo 2).

Photos 1-2. (Left) Typical deficiency symptoms of a non- mobile nutrient (iron) within
the plant. Note newer leaves are more affected. (Right) Typical deficiency symptoms
of a mobile nutrient (nitrogen) within the plant. Note older leaves are senescing while
younger leaves are still green. Photo credits: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State
University, Bugwood.org (left) and R.L. Croissant, Bugwood.org (right)

Most nutrient deficiencies need a certain amount of time after growth begins for
symptoms to occur. Early growth is often not fast enough or of a great enough volume
for symptom expression. Deficiencies are often revealed when the plant is at maximum
growth or at other times of high nutrient demand such as fruit development.

According to Michigan State University Extension, nutrient deficiencies can be due to a

number of reasons. The most obvious is that the element is not in a high enough level
naturally in the soil. Many sand-based soilsSearch
with high leaching potential are often low in
highly soluble nutrients. In some cases, the element is in adequate levels, but
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for adequate uptake. Other reasons could be too little or too much water or soil
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Remember all mineral elements need to come from the soil and if water
uptake is interrupted for any reason, so isIgnore
nutrient uptake.

For additional information on plant nutrients, see:

Plant Nutrient Functions and Deficiency and Toxicity Symptoms, Montana State
University Extension
Competency Area 1: Basic Concepts of Plant Nutrition, NRCCA Resources, Cornell
University

For more information on commercial vegetable production, contact Ron Goldy at 269-
944-1477 ext. 207 or goldy@anr.msu.edu.

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