Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) are some of the vital nutrients required for optimum growth, development, and productivity of plants. The deficiency of any of these nutrients may lead to defects in plant growth and decreased productivity. Plant responses to the deficiency of N, P, S, Fe, or Zn have been studied mainly as a separate event, and only a few reports discuss the molecular basis of biological interaction among the nutrients. Macro-nutrients like N, P, and/or S not only show the interacting pathways for each other but also affect micro-nutrient pathways. Limited reports are available on the investigation of two-by-two or multi-level nutrient interactions in plants. Such studies on the nutrient interaction pathways suggest that an MYB-like transcription factor, phosphate starvation response 1 (PHR1), acts as a master regulator of N, P, S, Fe, and Zn homeostasis. Similarly, light-responsive transcription factors were identified to be involved in modulating nutrient responses in Arabidopsis. This review focuses on the recent advances in our understanding of how plants coordinate the acquisition, transport, signaling, and interacting pathways for N, P, S, Fe, and Zn nutrition at the molecular level. Identification of the important candidate genes for interactions between N, P, S, Fe, and/or Zn metabolic pathways might be useful for the breeders to improve nutrient use efficiency and yield/quality of crop plants. Integrated studies on pathways interactions/cross-talks between macro‐ and micro-nutrients in the agronomically important crop plants would be essential for sustainable agriculture around the globe, particularly under the changing climatic conditions.

Collectively, these factors have led farmers to question whether micronutrient fertilization may now be required to meet the changing demands of crop nutrition. The Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations state that in general, soils in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio have adequate amounts of micronutrients to support crop growth. The only reported micronutrient deficiencies in this region have been with B, Cu, Mn and Zn. These deficiencies can cause plant abnormalities, reduced growth and sometimes yield losses. Over the past 40 years, there have been ongoing efforts to evaluate the effect of micronutrient fertilization on field crop yields. Here we have compiled all available studies conducted by Ohio State University which examined the effect of micronutrient fertilization on field crop yields in Ohio.

Understanding plant nutrition can be the difference between vigorous, productive plants and plants that struggle. You may be familiar with the macronutrients like nitrogen or potassium. These are the most commonly discussed nutrients since they are needed in the largest amounts.However, they aren’t the only essential nutrients that your plants need. Your plants will also need micronutrients in order to thrive.

As a gardener or farmer, you know that plant growth and development are essential to your success. But did you know that there are nutrients for plants specifically required to make this happen? In this article, we will explore the world of plant nutrients, why plants need nutrients, and how plants get what they need to grow.

Plants are able to produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis. They absorb nutrients through their roots from the soil and is transported through the stem to the different parts that are above ground level. They require two types of nutrients- macronutrients and micronutrients. 

We all know the nutrients — nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur — that are important for plants. We call them macronutrients. But there’s a whole list of plant micronutrients that are also essential, in much smaller quantities, to the health of your plants. These micronutrients — boron, iron, zinc and others — not only assure healthy growth, they help your gardens fight off pests and diseases.The best long term way to keep your garden soil rich with the micronutrients it needs is by adding organic compost. The living things that go into compost — grass clippings, leaves, plants trimmings, table scraps — already contain various amounts of micronutrients. Their presence in your compost guarantees that you’re returning those micronutrients to the soil.

Western Canadian crops require 17 essential nutrients to grow normally. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen derived from the air comprise more than 90 per cent of the fresh plant tissue. Macronutrients derived from the soil and needed in large amounts are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Legumes are the exception because they fix N from the air. With a few exceptions, Ca and Mg are not limiting in Saskatchewan because of the nature of the soils. The soil supply of N, P, K, and S is often supplemented by fertilizer and manure.The remaining essential nutrients derived from the soil are referred to as micronutrients, because they are needed in small amounts. They are boron (B), chloride (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn). Micronutrients are important for plant growth, as plants require a proper balance of all the essential nutrients for normal growth and optimum yield.

Micronutrients are essential for your plants, says Tricia in our video about secondary macronutrients and the micronutrients. You know about the major nutrients, N-P-K. Those are the symbols for the building blocks: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. They're represented by the three numbers on the front of fertilizer boxes or bags.For more about them, check out our video here. With the lesser known micronutrients (like “molybdenum” -- if you can spell that you can probably win a Spelling Bee) you’ll need a lab soil test to know if any need to be added to your soil.Let’s have a quick look at the major mineral nutrients, and then get to know the micronutrients and find out what they do for your plants.

A pH of 7.0 in neutral on the pH scale of 0 to 14. Micronutrients tend to be more available when the pH is 7 to 7.5, which is slightly alkaline, while macronutrients prefer a pH between 6.2 to 7.0, which is slightly acidic.Understanding each micronutrient mineral element’s function in plant growth will help you to determine the right nutrient applications and diagnose any potential crop production problems.

To be able to grow, develop, and produce at their best, plants must have specific elements or compounds called plant essential nutrients.A plant that lacks an essential nutrient cannot complete its life cycle—the seed may not germinate; the plant may not be able to develop roots, stems, leaves, or flowers properly; or it may not be able to produce seeds to create new plants. Often the plant itself will die.However, having too much of a nutrient can harm and even kill plants. For example, having too much nitrogen can cause a plant to grow more leaves but less or no fruit. Too much manganese can make the leaves turn yellow and eventually die. And excess boron can kill a plant.You can save money and effort—and even your plants— if you know what and how much to give your plants. The plants will be healthier and more productive if you give them what they need—no more and no less.

Cyanophycin is a nitrogen-storage polymer composed of a polyaspartate backbone with arginine side chains attached with their α-amino group to the β-carboxy group of each aspartate (Figure 30.2). It is synthesized by the enzyme cyanophycin synthase and deposited as granules in cyanobacteria as well as several photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria (Berg et al., 2000

State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing 211816, PR China.

Nutrients use efficiency of plants could be affected by the antagonistic or synergistic effects of two or more elements in the soil leading to decreased or increased yield. Field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons at the Landmark University Teaching and Research farm, Omu-Aran, Nigeria, to determine the interaction between zinc (Zn) and phosphate (P) fertilizers on growth, yield, nutrient elements and some heavy metals composition of groundnut grown on an Alfisol.

In the quest for increased yield, it becomes essential to learn and understand the details of soil fertility. High-yielding traits, more sophisticated fertilizer technologies and increased understanding of the role that soil microorganisms play have made fine-tuning soil fertility easier, but at the same time, more complex.

Drought and water shortage are serious problems in many arid and semi-arid regions. This problem is getting worse and even continues in temperate climatic regions due to climate change. To address this problem, the use of biodegradable hydrogels is increasingly important for the application as water-retaining additives in soil. Furthermore, efficient (micro-)nutrient supply can be provided by the use of tailored hydrogels.

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