Role of primary nutrients in plants, their deficiency symptoms and remedial measures

1. ROLE OF PRIMARY PLANT
NUTRIENTS
SUBMITTED TO
College of Forestry
Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology

2. PRIMARY NUTRIENTS
Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus
(P), and Potassium (K)
Used in large amounts by
the plants for their growth
and survival
Most often managed by
the addition of fertilizers
to soils
Most often the limiting
factors from a crop
production standpoint
N
P
K

3. NITROGEN
Constituent of proteins, chlorophyll, nucleotides,
phosphatides, alkaloids, enzymes, hormones, vitamins
etc.
Imparts dark green colour to the plant
Promotes leaf, stem and other vegetative growth
Improves quality, succulence of leafy vegetables and
fodder crops
Increases protein content of food and fodder crops
Governs the utilization of P, K and other elements

4. DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Stunted and slow plant growth
Chlorosis or yellowing begins at tip of leaf and goes
down to middle
Yellow spots occur in Eucalyptus globulus
Purple appearance on stems, petioles and underside of
leaves from accumulation of anthocyanin pigments
Affected area turns brown and dies in case of severe
deficiency

5. Yellow spots in leaves of Eucalyptus globulus

6. Necrosis in leaves due to severe Nitrogen

7. REMEDY
In long term, mulching with organic matter for a steady
trickle of nitrogen
In short term, high nitrogen fertilizers such as sulphate
of ammonia or poultry manure pellets

8. NITROGEN BASED
FERTILIZERS

9. NITROGEN TOXICITY
Succulent growth
Dark green, thick and brittle leaves
Poor fruit set
Under developed root system
Drought, diseases and insect invasion
Excess ammonia can induce calcium deficiency

10. PHOSPHOROUS
Constituent of nucleic acids, phytins, phospholipids, and
most enzymes
Associated with carbohydrate and fat metabolism,
photosynthesis, respiration, energy storage and transfer,
cell division and enlargement
Important in laying down primordia of reproductive parts
Involved in the formation of oils, sugars, starches, etc.
Strengthens log and increases quality of food grain
Brings about early maturity of crops, rapid plant growth,
flower formation and root growth
Increases water use efficiency and counteracts effects of
excessive N
Enhances rhizobium activity and formation of root

11. DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Reduced plant growth, delayed maturity, and small fruit
set
Thin crown in Eucalyptus globulus and stunting in
Corsican pines
Intense green coloration in leaves
Denaturation and necrosis in leaves in case of severe
deficiency
Purple colouring from accumulation of anthocyanin,
particularly in young plants
N and K deficiency in leguminous plants

12. Denaturing of leaves in severe Phosphorous

13. REMEDY
fertilizers such as superphosphate
Application of bone meal

14. PHOSPHOROUS BASED
FERTILIZERS

15. PHOSPHOROUS TOXICITY
Rare and usually buffered by pH limitations
Causes micronutrient deficiency of Zn, Fe, and Co
Interferes with N absorption

16. POTASSIUM
Associated with carbohydrate metabolism as well as
break down and translocation of starches
Regulates opening and closing of the stomata by
Potassium ion pump, hence reduces water loss and
increases drought tolerance
Activator of enzymes used in photosynthesis and
respiration
Used to build cellulose by the formation of a chlorophyll
precursor
Improves winter hardiness, disease resistance and
increases vigour
Produces strong, stick straw in cereals

17. DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Reduced plant growth
Yellowing or burning of leaf edges
Necrosis or interveinal chlorosis
Necrotic tips of older leaves in Picea abies
Reduced straw or stalk strength
Reduced disease resistance
Reduced winter hardiness of perennial or winter annual
crops

18. Necrosis at tips of leaves in Picea abies

19. Necrosis due to Potassium deficiency

20. REMEDY
High potassium fertilizers such as sulphate of potash
Tomato feed or organic potassium sources derived from
sugar beet processing

21. POTASSIUM BASED
FERTILIZERS

22. POTASSIUM TOXICITY
Causes N deficiency in plant
May affect the uptake of other positive ions such as Mg,
Mn, Zn, Ca and Fe

23. Symptoms on old
leaves
Entire plant
Plant light green,
leaves yellow, drying
to brown
Nitrogen deficiency
Plant dark green with
red or purple colour,
leaves yellow, drying
to brown
Phosphorous
deficiency
Lower leaves only
Older leaves wilt or
scorch, edges necrotic
with spots on leaves
Potassium deficiency

24. CONCLUSION
Of all of the symptoms and signs of trouble in plants,
possibly the most overlooked are nutrient deficiencies.
Ideally, deficiencies are determined by soil testing and/or
plant tissue analysis rather than visual symptoms.
To obtain optimum production, nutrient deficiencies
should be identified and appropriate steps are to be
taken to provide the required nutrients to plants.

25. THANK YOU