UG lecture notes

Lecture No 25/ 15

Nutrient Interactions in soil

Interaction is defined as the influence of one element on another in relation to the plant
growth and crop yield. Interactions among plant nutrients are often overlooked even though
they can have considerable influence on plant growth. It is usually studied by applying two
nutrients simultaneously at different levels and then measuring the response to one element in
the presence of second element.

An interaction takes place when the response of two or more inputs used in combination is
unequal to the sum of their individual responses. It may be positive, negative or no
interactions. We must know the antagonistic interactions to avoid the combined application
of nutrients having antagonistic effect. In crop plants, the nutrient interactions are generally
measures in terms of growth response and change in concentration of nutrients.

Synergistic effect/ positive interaction – The combined effect of two elements gives a
higher yield response than the sum of individual responses of the two elements.

5 + 5 = more than 10

Antagonistic effect/ negative interaction - The combined effect of two elements gives a
lesser yield response than the sum of individual responses of the two elements.

5 + 5 = less than 10

No interaction / zero interaction

The combined effect of two elements is the sum of individual responses of those two
elements. The repose of the factors is being only additive.

5 + 5 = 10
The negative interaction between P and Zn in plant may occur due to any one of the
following causes:

i) Chemical Precipitation of Zine in Soil

The formation of insoluble zinc phosphate, Zn3(PO4)2 in soil is regarded as the cause of P-
induced Zn-deficiency in soil as well as in plant. This compound can provide sufficient Zn in
soil solution to support a good crop growth. So P-induced Zn-deficiency in plant is not
caused.

ii) Interrelationships of Zinc and Phosphorus in Plant

P reduces translocation of Zn within the roots. This results in the low concentration of Zn in
the above-ground portion of the plant and lowers the total uptake of Zn. It has been further
concluded that both P and Zn are mutually antagonistic whenever either of these elements
exceeds some threshold value within the root. Zinc has the ability to control the rate of P-
absorption by roots, possibly through some functional association in the cell membrane. Zinc-
deficiency interferes with P metabolism, enhancing the amounts of P absorbed by roots and
transported to tops.

iii) Dilution Effect

When the rate of drymatter production exceeds the rate of up take of a nutrient, the
concentration of that nutrient in the drymatter decreases. This is called "dilution effect”. The
Zn-deficiency symptoms in plants may appear as a result of dilution effect at the maximum
period of growth. Dilution effect appears when P fertilizer is applied in soil deficient with
respect to P, but marginally deficient with respect to Zn. The growth rate of plant increases
with enhanced rates of applied P, but the uptake of Zn does not increase proportionately to
maintain adequate concentration of Zn in plant top. The dilution effect depends on the
magnitude of response obtained with P fertilization and on the rate of decrease of Zn
concentration in the drymatter.

iv) Disproportionate Distribution of Zinc in Roots and Tops

Zinc is less mobile as compared to P within the plant and therefore, a large accumulation of
Zn takes place in leaves, nodes and internodes. This effect is more pronounced in soils having
deficient level of available-Zn. Application of P fertilizer in small doses results in higher
uptake and concentration of Zn in the roots accompanied by large reduction in Zn
concentration in the plant tops. It has been found that the site of P-Zn antagonistic interaction
lies inside the root.
The negative interaction between P and Zn in which application of P fertilizer induces Zn-
deficiency in plants with concomitant re duction in yield disappears with the application. of
Zn fertilizer along with P fertilizer. The negative interaction turns into a positive interaction
with Zn fertilizer application as it maintains adequate level of Zn in the leaves and other plant
tissues with concomitant increase in yield.

Apart from P and Zn interactions, there are several interactions between micronutrients and
macronutrients and among micronutrients which may be attributed to any of the above
mentioned causes.

1. Excess of P adversely affects utilization of Zn, Fe and Cu

2. Excess of Fe adversely affects utilization of Zn and Mn

3. Excess of Zn, Mn, and Cu induces Fe-deficiency in crops

4. Excess of S and Cu induces Mo-deficiency in crops

5. Excess of Lime induces deficiency of all micronutrients.

6. Presence of carbonate and bicarbonate ions in soil due to sodicity or over liming reduces
the availability of micronutrient cations to crops which suffer most iron deficiency.

7. Lime X P, Lime X Mo, Mo X P, and Na X K are common negative interactions.

8. Excess of Ca may induce P deficiency

9. Excess of Ca and Mg may depress K uptake

10. Excess of Ca may reduce Mg uptake, if ratio is wider than 7:1

11. Excess of K and NH+ may reduce Mg uptake

12. Excess of N, K and Ca may reduce B toxicity

13. Excess of N,P,K may induces Cu deficiency

14. Excess of NO3-N may cause Fe deficiency

In addition to interactions between two or more nutrients, there are numerous opportunities
for other kinds of interactions: for example, nutrients and disease, nutrients and cultural
practice, nutrients and crop species, nutrients and hybrid or variety, nutrients and seeding
date, nutrients and plant population or spacing, and nutrients and environmental conditions.