What Are Micronutrients?
The Trace Elements Plants Need
In relatively small amounts, micronutrients are necessary nutrients that plants and other living things need. They are often referred to as trace elements or trace minerals. Despite having a lower concentration in plant tissues, micronutrients are essential for many physiological functions, enzyme activity, and general health. Plants require several micronutrients to survive.
Here's an overview of each micronutrient, its functions, and its importance:
Boron (B):
Function: The synthesis of cell walls, pollen germination, and hormone control include the element boron.
Importance: For cell division, sugar transport, and plant reproduction, boron is essential. It fosters the development of fruit, flowers, and roots. A lack of boron can cause deformed growth, decreased fertility, and poor seed germination.
Chlorine (Cl):
Function: Chlorine is involved in osmoregulation, photosynthesis, and ionic balance.
Importance: Photosynthesis, stomatal control, and osmotic management are all aided by chlorine. It participates in ionic balance maintenance and water flow within the plant.
Copper (Cu):
Function: Copper is a cofactor for electron transfer, respiration, and lignin synthesis enzymes.
Importance: Plant metabolism, including photosynthesis, energy production, and cell wall building, depends on copper to function properly. Additionally, it affects how proteins and carbs are metabolized.
Iron (Fe):
Function: Iron is essential for chlorophyll synthesis, enzyme activation, and electron transport in photosynthesis and respiration.
Importance: Iron is essential for creating healthy, green leaves, plant growth, and energy production. Additionally, it affects plant metabolism generally and the fixation of nitrogen.
Manganese (Mn):
Function: Manganese is involved in photosynthesis, enzyme activation, and the metabolism of carbohydrates and nitrogen.
Importance: Manganese promotes the synthesis of several enzymes and the formation of chlorophyll and antioxidant activity. Additionally, it aids in the growth of roots, pollen germination, and disease resistance.
Molybdenum (Mo):
Function: Molybdenum is a component of nitrogen fixation and nitrate reduction enzymes.
Importance: Molybdenum is necessary for nitrogen metabolism because it makes it easier for nitrate to turn into ammonium, which plants may use. Additionally, it supports enzyme functions related to sulfur metabolism.
Nickel (Ni):
Function: Nickel is a cofactor for urease-activating enzymes crucial for nitrogen metabolism.
Importance: Nickel is essential for healthy plant growth and development, particularly urea hydrolysis and nitrogen metabolism. In addition, it contributes to the production of chlorophyll and iron absorption.
Zinc (Zn):
Function: Zinc is an enzyme cofactor essential for hormone control, protein, and DNA synthesis.
Importance: Zinc is necessary for plant growth and development, including roots, leaves, and flowers. It participates in manufacturing the plant hormone auxin, which is essential for several growth processes.
Plants need a few more minerals in very small levels besides the macronutrients and micronutrients described before for their growth and development. These minerals are also known as advantageous substances or advantageous minerals. Although they are not considered necessary for all plant species, they can be crucial for some plants or in particular environments.
Here are some instances of these advantageous components:
Cobalt (Co): A tiny metal known as cobalt helps leguminous plants fix nitrogen. It is a part of the nitrogenase enzyme, which transforms atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use.
Selenium (Se): Selenium is a crucial element for some plants and is involved in their defense mechanisms against free radicals. Additionally, it can be stored in some plants and transferred to animals, increasing both animals' and humans' dietary selenium consumption.
Silicon (Si): Although silicon is not considered necessary for plant growth, it improves plant structure and fends off biotic and abiotic stressors. “(Abiotic and biotic stresses are major environmental threats that greatly reduce crop yield. Examples of abiotic stresses include drought, salt, cold, and heat, and biotic stresses include diverse living organisms, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and insects)”(Baillo et al., 2019) It can strengthen plant cell walls strengthen pest and disease resistance, and enhance tolerance for heat, drought, and metal toxicity.
Sodium (Na): Sodium is typically considered a non-essential element for most plants. Some halophyte plants (salt-tolerant plants that grow in soil or waters of high salinity) may be able to absorb and use sodium because they can withstand high salt concentrations.
Vanadium (V): Vanadium has been revealed to have potential physiological impacts on plant development and metabolism while not being regarded as an essential nutrient for plants. Its effects on plants are still being researched, and different plant species may have other roles, if any.
Remember that these extra components might or might not be required for plant growth depending on the type of plant, the climate, and specific physiological processes. Even though they might not be strictly necessary for all plants, they can support plant health and resistance in some circumstances. Our understanding of these minerals and their roles in plant life constantly expands thanks to continued research.
Summary
Micronutrients are crucial for plants' overall health, growth, and productivity since they are involved in many physiological processes. They participate in manufacturing vital chemicals, photosynthesis, hormone regulation, energy production, enzyme activity, and energy production. Micronutrient deficiencies or imbalances can cause a variety of ailments, stunted growth, low yields, and increased susceptibility to illnesses.
It's crucial to remember that micronutrient needs are lower than those for macronutrients. However, its availability and balance are essential for a healthy plant to function. Regular soil testing, plant tissue analysis, and suitable nutrient management measures are recommended to treat micronutrient deficiency or toxicities and ensure optimal plant nutrition and performance.
Baillo, E. H., Kimotho, R. N., Zhang, Z., & Xu, P. (2019). Transcription Factors Associated with Abiotic and Biotic Stress Tolerance and Their Potential for Crops Improvement. Genes, 10(10), 771. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes10100771