Function of essential mineral nutrients

a) Mg:

• Neutralize organic acids in plants
• Increase oil contents of oil crops

b) Sulphur:

• Impart taste and smell in plants
• Synthesis of sulphur containing AA.

c) Boron:

• Helps in nodulation in legumes
• Helps in pollination in wheat and fruit set

d) Magnesium:

• Accelerate germination and maturity

e) Copper:

• Improves flavour of fruit and vegetables
• Increase sugar content of citrus

f) Zinc:

• Regulate auxin concentration
• Helps in synthesis of cytochrome-C.

g) Molybdenum:

• Helps in Nitrogen fixation in legumes

h) Chlorine;

• Depression of root rot infection in wheat and stalk rot in corn.

Note:

1. Acidic cations: H⁺ , AL⁺⁺⁺

• Soil is acidic in humid region due to leaching by rainfall.

2. Basic cations: Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺, K⁺, Na⁺

• Soil tends to be basic due to evapotranspiration > precipitation

1 gram soil contains

a) 1 billion bacteria

b) 10-20 million actinomycetes

c) 1 million fungi

d) 1 million protozoa

e) 1,00,000 algae