PLANT

NUTRITION
When we talk about
plant nutrition, we are
referring to the supply
and absorption
chemical compounds
for the growth and
metabolism of plants.
These chemical compounds
for growth are known as plant
nutrients or essential elements.
In order for higher plants to
sustain their metabolic
processes, inorganic nutrients
are obtained from
environment via soil, air, plant
analysis, biochemical test, and
soil test
Essential Elements
and Physiology in
Plants
Carbon, Hydrogen,
Oxygen
Major constituent of organic plant
material; assimilation of oxygen-
reductions in plants
 Boron
• Cell wall synthesis;
• enzymatic reactions and
• metabolic pathways;
• mitotic activity for root
development
Calcium
• Structural component of the cell
wall and cell membrane;
• counter-ion in the vacuole

Chlorine
• Water splitting system for photo
system II;
• stomatal opening regulation
Copper
• Cofactor for metalloproteins and
enzymes; photosynthetic electron
transport;
• cell wall metabolism and hormone
signaling;
• oxidative stress response
Iron
• Regulatory component of proteins
• metabolites in roots and leaves

Magnesium
• Chlorophyll synthesis;
• cofactor in activation
ATPase
Manganese
• Photodestruction of chlorophyll and chloroplast
structure;
• enzyme activator;
• precursor of amino acid, hormones(auxins) and
lignins

Molybdenum
• Enzyme activation (e.g. nitrate reductase,
catalase, ribonuclease);
• chlorophyll synthesis
Nickel
• Endosperm development and degydrogenase
activity,
• urease activation for urea breakdown,
• root nodule growth

Nitrogen
• General plant growth of roots, stem, leaf,
flowers and fruits;
• chlorophyll synthesis
Phosphorus
• Energy transferring process for photosynthesis and
respiration (ADP-ATP) synthesis);
• structural component of phospholipids, nucleic acids,
coenzymes, and nucleotides

Potassium
• Cell extension and stomatal regulation; enzyme
activation (kinase, starch, synthase, and nitrate
reductase)
• photosynthetic activity( e.g. CO₂ fixation and pH
regulation
 Sulfur
• Assimilation of oxidation-reduction reactions;
• participates in various enzymatic processes

Zinc
• Enzymatic function and reactivity;
• stem elongation;
• protein and starch synthesis
In addition, cobalt, sodium,
silicon, and other elements may
be considered essential depending
on the plant species and the
environment where they are
found.