When any of these elements are lacking in the soil and the deficiencies are not compensated for by adding fertilizer compounds of compost the plant will demonstrate characteristic symptoms of mineral deficiencies. Most commercial fertilizers are some ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and thus are able to compensate for a wide variety of issues. As an example of uses for the essential element in plants we will look at a few elements and how they are utilized:
- Nitrogen—used in the building of proteins, nucleic acids and chlorophyll
- Potassium—responsible in the process of enzyme activation, usually found in the Meristems
- Calcium—vital part of the middle lamella and has a direct role in the movement of substances through cell membranes
- Phosphorus—vital role in respiration and cellular division also used in the synthesis of energy compounds—ATP and ADP
- Magnesium—central component of the chlorophyll molecule and involved in enzyme activation
- Sulphur—structural component of many amino acids
- Iron—integral in chlorophyll production and plays a role in respiration
- Manganese—enzyme activator
- Boron—role in calcium ion use, not clearly understood
As you can see by scanning through the list, all of these elements are involved to one degree or another in vital life-sustaining processes!