Download Role and deficiency symptoms of Secondary Nutrients in Tomato

Role and deficiency symptoms of
Secondary Nutrients in Tomato
Role and deficiency symptoms of Secondary Nutrients in Tomato
Introduction
 Secondary nutrients are needed in lesser
amounts than that of primary nutrients but
are important for plants
 Calcium, magnesium and sulphur are
considered as secondary nutrients for
plants; however, they play no secondary role
in plant nutrition
 Many factors can affect the availability of
these three nutrients to plants
Role and deficiency symptoms of Secondary Nutrients in Tomato
Role of Calcium in tomato
 Ca is a part of the architecture of cell walls and
membranes
 It is involved in cell division, growth, root lengthening
and activation/ inhibition of enzymes.
 Involved in nitrogen metabolism
 Aids in translocation of photosynthates from leaves to
fruiting organs
 Increases fruit set
 Stimulates microbial activity
Role and deficiency symptoms of Secondary Nutrients in Tomato
Calcium deficiency symptoms
 Deficiency symptoms are first displayed in the growing
regions and new leaves. New leaves are distorted or
hook shaped.
 Blossom end rot is caused by lack of calcium in the
developing fruit of tomato. It appears as slight watersoaked area on/ near the blossom end of the fruit. The
affected area soon darkens and enlarges in a constantly
widening circle until the fruit begins to ripen.
Note: Blossom end rot can be controlled by spraying calcium chloride
(2 g/l) solution.
Role and deficiency symptoms of Secondary Nutrients in Tomato
Calcium deficiency symptoms in tomato
Source: http://5e.plantphys.net/
article.php?ch =t&id=289
Source:http://www.enst.umd.edu/people/Weil/Symptom
s/Calcium.cfm
Role and deficiency symptoms of Secondary Nutrients in Tomato
Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Sulphur in Tomato
Role




Integral part of amino acids
Helps synthesis of enzymes and vitamins.
Promotes nodule formation on legumes
Necessary in chlorophyll formation (though it isn’t one of
the constituents)
Deficiency Symptoms
 Younger leaves start turning yellow
 Plants are small and spindly with short and slender stalks
 Fruits often do not mature fully
Role and deficiency symptoms of Secondary Nutrients in Tomato
Sulphur deficiency symptoms in tomato
Source: http://5e.plantphys.net/
article.php?ch=t&id=289
Source:http://www.enst.umd.edu/people/Weil/Sympt
oms/Sulfur.cfm
Role and deficiency symptoms of Secondary Nutrients in Tomato
Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Magnesium in
Tomato
Role
Key element of chlorophyll production
Improves utilization and mobility of phosphorus
 Activator and component of many plant enzymes,
energy transfer, maintenance of electrical balance
 Increases iron utilization in plants
 Influences earliness and uniformity of maturity
Deficiency Symptoms
 Central interveinal chlorosis and green marginal
bands.
 Clustering of flowers
 Fruits do not ripen evenly
Role and deficiency symptoms of Secondary Nutrients in Tomato
Magnesium deficiency symptoms
in tomato
Source:http://customers.hbci.com/~
wenonah/min-def/tomatoes.htm
Source:http://5e.plantphys.net/article.ph
p?ch=t&id=289
Role and deficiency symptoms of Secondary Nutrients in Tomato
Let us sum up
 Calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are essential plant
nutrients. They are called “secondary” nutrients
because plants require them in smaller quantities
than nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
 Each plant prefers a specific pH range to be able to
access the nutrients in the soil. If the soil pH is too
acidic or alkaline the plant will not be able to take
up nutrients no matter how rich your soil may be.
So pH should be close to 7 for better absorption of
nutrients