Function of the 16 Essential

Element and Deficiency Symptoms of

the Elements

Practices of Crop Production

CRS002

DENNIS L. CALIZA
Elements Functions Symptoms Pictures

Carbon Major components of plants; Poor growth

organics compounds
Oxygen Major components of plants Poor growth;
organic compounds leaves wilt
Hydrogen Major component of plant Wilting, Poor
growth growth; New
foliage, buds
and roots
have stunted
growth
Nitrogen Components of nucleic Chlorosis at
acids, proteins and tips of older
chlorophyll leaves
Potassium Cofactor of many enzymes; Mottling of
older leaves
major solute functioning in
with drying of
leaf edges;
water balance; operation of
weak steam;
stomata root poorly
developed
Calcium Important components of Crinkling of
middle lamella and cell young leaves;
walls; maintains membrane death of
function; signal transduction terminal buds
Magnesium Components of chlorophyll; Chlorosis
Cofactor of many enzymes between veins
found in older
leaves
Phosphorus Components of nucleic Healthy
acids; Phospholipids appearance
but very slow
development;
thin stem
purpling of
veins
Sulfur Components of proteins General
chlorosis in
young leaves
Chlorine Photosynthesis; Function in Wilting; stubby
water balance roots; leaf
molting
Iron Respiration; Chlorosis
Photosynthesis; chlorophyll between
synthesis veins, found in
young leaves
Manganese Active in formation of amino Chlorosis
acids; activates some between veins
enzymes found in young
leaves
Boron Cofactor in chlorophyll Death of

synthesis; role in cell walls meristems;

function thick, leathery;

and discolored

of leaves
 Copper Components of many redox Light green
and lignin-biosynthesis color
enzymes throughout
young leaves,
with drying of
leaf tips
Nickel Nitrogen metabolism General
chlorosis is all
leaves death
of leaf tips
Molybdenum Nitrogen metabolism Death of roots
and shoot tips;
chlorosis in
older leaves