Plant Nutrition: Mineral Nutrition
6.3 Mineral Nutrition
Essential Mineral Ions For Plants
| Mineral Ion | Function | Deficiency Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrate (NO₃⁻) | Used to make amino acids → proteins for growth | Stunted growth, yellow leaves |
| Magnesium (Mg²⁺) | Component of chlorophyll | Leaves turn yellow (chlorosis), poor photosynthesis |
Why Minerals Are Important
- Without nitrates → plants cannot make proteins → weak growth.
- Without magnesium → cannot make chlorophyll → reduced photosynthesis.
Written And Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions And 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Biology Full Scale Course
How Minerals Enter Plants
- Absorbed from soil solution by root hair cells.
- Often taken up by active transport (low concentration in soil, higher inside plant).
Quick Recall
- Nitrates → Proteins → Growth.
- Magnesium → Chlorophyll → Photosynthesis.
Written And Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions And 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Biology Full Scale Course