Besides the fundamental three essential nutrients, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK), secondary nutrients (S, Ca, Mg), and micronutrients (iron, manganese, zinc, boron, molybdenum, and copper) are required for plant development and soil health.
Micronutrients provide plants the nutrients they require to develop properly, achieve degree of immunity to fight pests, weather elements and bacteria. Though micronutrients in plants can be found in small amounts, these play a big role in plant's overall development and growth.
Zinc: Zinc has an important function in: Zinc stimulates enzymes that are involved in creating some proteins. It aids in the production of chlorophyll and certain carbohydrates, the transformation of starches to sugars, and its existence in plant tissue aids in the plant's resistance to low temperatures.
Zinc is required for the production of auxins, which aid in growth control and stem elongation. Zinc, like other micronutrients, is immobile, therefore deficient symptoms appear in young leaves.
IRON
Iron (Fe) is essential for chlorophyll synthesis in plant cells. It stimulates metabolic activities like respiration, photosynthesis, and symbiotic nitrification. High levels of manganese or lime concentration in soils can cause iron deficiency. Even while plants only require a trace quantity of iron, its absence can have fatal consequences. Iron deficiency is most commonly shown as chlorosis. This is the term used to describe a situation in which young leaves are yellow rather than green, however, they still have green veins. A lack of oxygen transport, which is induced by an iron deficiency, creates the yellow tint.
MANGANESE
Manganese acts as an enzyme activator throughout the growth process. It aids iron in the production of chlorophyll. It is a component of the mechanism that splits water and liberates oxygen gas. Manganese deficiency symptoms include: Young leaf interveinal chlorosis Pale green coloring with deeper pigmentation along veins. As with iron deficiency, there is no clear demarcation between veins and interveinal zones.
BORON
Boron (B) appears largely in soil solutions as the BO3 anion, which plants readily absorb. A sufficient amount of boron is essential for great crop yields and quality
COPPER
Copper (Cu) is one of the eight necessary micronutrients for plants. The formation of chlorophyll and seeds, as well as several other enzymatic processes in plants, depends on copper. Copper deficiency can increase susceptibility to diseases.
CALCIUM
Calcium (Ca) is essential for the formation of plant tissues and the growth of plants. Calcium is to keep plant cell walls together. It is also necessary for the activation of specific enzymes.Calcium is essential for root system growth. Calcium also improves resilience to outside assault and boosts the feed value of forage crops for cattle. Calcium deficiency symptoms: Calcium shortage slows root development and causes root tips to die. A lack of calcium makes the crop susceptible to illness.