Deficiency Symptoms Of Essential Elements

What Are The Essential Elements?

Essential elements are those elements without which the plant or animal cannot grow and develop. Based on the amount required in the organism, these elements are grouped as macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are those elements which are required in large amounts, while micronutrients are required in traces. The deficiencies of these essential elements may give rise to various health problems and developmental issues. Knowing the deficiency symptoms of these elements in both plants and humans is important for optimum health.

Overview Of Essential Elements

Essential elements can be broadly divided into two groups:

Macronutrients

• These include carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S).

• These elements are required in relatively large amounts, generally greater than 0.1 per cent of the dry weight, and perform several important physiological functions.

Micronutrients

• These include boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), and nickel (Ni).

• Micronutrients are needed in lesser amounts but are of equal significance to health and development.

Deficiency Symptoms In Plants

The deficiency of any one of the essential elements may produce typical symptoms in plants, which adversely affect their growth, development, and productivity.

Macronutrient Deficiencies

The macronutrient deficiencies are classified as:

Nitrogen Deficiency

• The general major symptoms are that the older leaves become yellow—chlorosis, stunted growth, and poor fruit/flower formation.

• Nitrogen is required for protein synthesis and generally in plant vigour.

Phosphorus Deficiency

• The symptoms include a dark green or purple colouration of the leaves, stunted growth, and poor root development.

• Phosphorus plays a vital role in energy transfer and nucleic acid synthesis.

Potassium Deficiency

• This is characterised by the yellowing of the margins of leaves, browning of tips, and weak stems.

• Potassium plays a very significant role in the regulation of water in plants and in the activation of enzymes.

Calcium Deficiency

• This shows through blossom-end rot in tomatoes, tip burn in lettuce and stunted growth.

• Calcium plays a huge role in the structure of cell walls and their stability.

Magnesium deficiency

• Causes interveinal chlorosis, which is the yellowing of tissue between veins in a leaf, with curling of leaves.

• Magnesium makes a big contribution to chlorophyll and is needed for photosynthesis.

Sulfur deficiency

• Caused by yellowing of young leaves and stunted growth.

• Sulfur is an integral part of the synthesis of proteins and enzymes.

Micronutrient Deficiencies

The micronutrient deficiencies are classified as:

Iron deficiency

• Occurs with symptoms such as interveinal chlorosis of the young leaves, progressing to general yellowing.

• Iron serves a role in the synthesis of chlorophyll and electron transport in photosynthesis.

Zinc Deficiency

• In such cases, stunted growth, leaf distortion, and interveinal chlorosis can be observed.

• Zinc is involved in the functions of the enzyme and protein synthesis.

Manganese Deficiency

• The common symptoms are interveinal chlorosis in young leaves, poor fruit formation, etc.

• Manganese is required in photosynthesis and metabolism of nitrogen.

Copper Deficiency

• Stunted growth, curling of leaves, and general chlorosis- these are the symptoms.

• Copper will have to be present for maintaining enzyme activity and in photosynthesis.

Boron Deficiency

• Poor fruit and seed development, deformed leaves, and reduction of flowering are symptoms of its deficiency.

• Boron participates in cell wall formation and reproductive growth.

Molybdenum Deficiency

• Yellowing of the older leaves and poor nitrogen fixation in legumes are the symptoms of its deficiency.

• Molybdenum is required for nitrate reduction and nitrogen metabolism.

Deficiency Symptoms In Humans

Deficiency of essential elements in humans can also cause severe health disorders:

Iron deficiency may result in anaemia, fatigue, and generally a weak immune system. Iodine deficiency may cause goitre and developmental disorders, such as mental retardation. Calcium deficiency is linked to osteoporosis, bone fractures, and muscle cramps. Vitamin D deficiency causes a disease called rickets in children and a disorder known as osteomalacia in adults, whereby the bones become very weak. Zinc deficiency results in immunological dysfunction, alopecia, and delayed healing of any wounds.

Conclusion

Knowing the deficiency symptoms of essential elements is an important investment in the health of plants and human beings. The realization will prompt action to correct nutrient imbalances on time, thus ensuring perfect growth and development. Proper intake of a balanced diet well supplied with essential nutrients is important in sustaining human health, while for plants, good health and productivity rely on soil management and fertilization practices.