Role of Secondary Nutrients in Banana

Secondary Nutrients

Calcium Calcium

MagnesiumMagnesium

SulphurSulphur

Role of Secondary Nutrients in Banana

Role of Calcium

Level of calcium is quite high in plant tissues and it is involved in many useful functions.

Timing at the rate of 6 kg per plant in a single year or spread over 2 or 3 years did not affect yields, although that soil was distinctly acid.

It is commonly a major caution of the middle lamella of cell walls of which calcium pectate is a principal constituent.

The key function of calcium seems to be in maintaining is to be considerable extent a matter of compartmentation membrane in functional stable.

Role of Secondary Nutrients in Banana

Deficiency of Calcium Calcium deficiency symptoms are characterized by narrow bands of marginal chlorosis of lower leaves which gradually turn in to necrotic hollows covering the entire margin and the leaves becomes smaller with reduced fresh weight.

Dissolution of the cell wall occur resulting in the accumulation of brown substance in inter-cellular space and vascular tissues where they can affect transport mechanism.

Root growth is retarded; they become short, thick, crooked and stubby.

Branches are malformed, multiple buds appear and there is a premature leaf fall.

There is accumulation of carbohydrates by affecting transportation and utilization (oxalic acid is the byproduct of CHo and if not used by Ca).

Role of Secondary Nutrients in Banana

Role of Magnesium

It is needed by all green plants a constituent of chlorophyll, the only mineral constituent of chlorophyll molecule.

Therefore it is important in photosynthesis in autotrophs.

It also seems to play an important role in the transport of phosphate in plant and possible as a consequence of this, it accumulates in the seeds of plant rich in oil, for the oil is also accompanied by an accumulation of lecithin, a phosphate contains fat.

There is availability of phosphorous some times can simply be elevated by mg application.

Role of Secondary Nutrients in Banana

Deficiency of Mg

In magnesium deficient plants, the color of leaves turned yellowish showing brown spots on the leaf margin.Interveinal chlorosis extending towards the youngest leaves.The height of the plant was inhibited.

Purple mottling of leaf petioles malformation of leaves and sheaths and puckering and thickening of the characteristic symptoms of magnesium deficiency in banana.

Leaf yellowing, retarded growth and reduced yield in mg deficient plants.

Fruits of mg deficient plants do not ripen well and are tasteless.

Role of Secondary Nutrients in Banana

Role of Sulphur

Being a constituent of sulphur containing amino-acids like cystine and methionine, it is involved in the synthesis of protein and enzymes and therefore functionally important in plant growth.

It activates certain proteolitic enzymes such as papain, bromelin and ficin and it is also a constituent of certain vitamins of co-enzymes A and of glutathione.

It is absorbed in plants almost entirely as the sulphate (SO-

4)ion and small amount as SO2 through

leaves.

It is less mobile than N within plant and therefore, symptoms first appear on younger leaves.

Role of Secondary Nutrients in Banana

Deficiency of Sulphur

• Plant growth rate reduced

• Plants become rigid and brittle

Stem remains thin

• Chlorotic symptoms first appear on younger leaves

• light green to light yellow

• Inter-nodal length shortened

• S and N deficiency synonymous visually

• Leaf analysis essential

Role of Secondary Nutrients in Banana

Let Us sum up

Papery white colour of leaves is main symptom of sulphur.

The secondary nutrients also essential for plant growth. The deficiency symptoms occur first in

younger leaves than older leaves.

Calcium is essential for cell wall development, when it decreased it causes interveinal and marginal chlorosis.

Magnesium is most essential for photosynthesis, interveinal chlorosis and reddening is a deficiency symptom of magnesium.

Sulphur is constituent of sulphur containing amino-acids like cystine and methionine, it is involved in the synthesis of protein and enzymes and therefore functionally important in plant growth.

Role of Secondary Nutrients in Banana