Mineral Nutrition

Syllabus
Mineral nutrition: Essential minerals, macro and micronutrients and their role; Deficiency
symptoms; Mineral toxicity; Elementary idea of Hydroponics as a method to study mineral
nutrition; Nitrogen metabolism-Nitrogen cycle, biological nitrogen fixation.

Chapter Index

 Mineral Elements
 Essentiality of Minerals
 Methods to Study the Mineral Requirements of Plants
 Toxicity of Micronutrients
 Mobility of Elements

MINERAL ELEMENTS
 The inorganic nutrients are classified as essential elements and non essential elements.
 17 elements have been placed under essential elements.
 These are the elements without which the reproduction and life cycle of a plant cannot be
completed.
 The essential elements are : C, H, O, N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mo, Mn, Ni, Zn, B, Cl, Cu.

Essentiality of Minerals
 A variety of mineral elements are present in the soil but all of them are not essential for plant
growth.
 Besides, a particular element may be needed for the growth of one plant and may not be
required at all by other plants.
 For example, sodium is required in very small amount by the desert shrub Atriplex, but is not
required by most of the other plants.
 Following criteria given by D.I. Arnon and P.R.Stout (1939) are used to determine
essentiality of minerals:
(1) The element must be absolutely necessary for normal growth and reproduction. The plant do
not complete its life cycle or set the seed in the absence of that particular element
(2) The element must not be replaceable by another element.
(3) The element must play a direct role in the metabolism of plant.
(4) Absence of a specific element causes deficiency in the plant which is corrected only by adding
the specific mineral in the soil.

Mineral Nutrition || 1
 Types of Essential Elements
 On the basis of concentration in plant, Hoagland divided essential elements into two groups.
(i) Macronutrients : These are present in more concentration like 1-10 mg per gram of dry
weight. These are easily detectable. e.g., C, H, O, N, P, S, Ca, K, Mg.
(ii) Micronutrients : These elements occur in plant body in concentration of equal or less than 0.1
mg per gram of dry weight. Infact these are required in traces, so called trace elements. e.g.,
Mo, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Cl, Fe, Ni.
In addition to the 17 essential elements, there are some beneficial elements such as sodium
silicon, cobalt and selenium. They are required by higher plants.

Concept Builder
General Functions of Mineral Elements
(a) Frame work elements – Form carbohydrates which form cell wall, e.g., C, H, O.
(b) Protoplasmic elements – Form protoplasm, e.g., C, H, O, N, P, S.
(c) Catalytic elements – e.g., Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, Mg, Mn, K (activator of over 40 enzymes)
(d) Biiincing element – Ca, Mg and K counteract the toxic effect of other minerals.
(e) Storage elements – C, N, S, P.
(f) Critical elements – N, P, K.
(g) Minerals influence OP and TP.
(h) Monovalent cations (Na+, K+) Increases permeability of membrane, while divalent and
trivalent ions decrease it.
(i) Toxic elments e.g., Al, As, Hg, Pb, Ag.
(j) Non mineral elements e.g., C, H, O, N. N is both mineral and non mineral.
(k) Functional elements: They are non essential in most plants but have a definite activity in
some species e.g., silicon in grasses.

METHODS TO STUDY THE MINERAL REQUIREMENTS OF PLANTS

 Soils normally contain sufficient quantities of essential minerals.
 However, three important elements need to be replenished in crop fields as they are depleted
by repeated cultivation.
 These fertiliser elements called ctiffcal elements are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
(NPK).
 The common sources of these elements used in India are: nitrate of sodium, ammonium
sulphate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, urea, etc.
 The NPK fetilisers comprising bags of fertilisers are labelled 17-18-19 or 15-15-15 or other
combinations.
 These numbers refer to the percentage by weight of nitrogen, phosphorus and water soluble
potassium.
 To determine the elements essential for plant growth and deficiency symptoms of an essential
element, well defined nutrient medium has to be used.

Mineral Nutrition || 2
  Seeds are grown in highly washed pure sand in a glass or glazed procelain or plastic container
and supplied with a carefully made up nutrient solution.
 Arnon and Hoagland's Medium prescribed a medium containing micronutrients.
 Iron was earlier supplied as ferrous sulphate, but it often precipitated out.
 This problem has now been solved by dissolving the ferrous sulphate along with a chelating
agent Na-EDTA (disodium salt of ethylene diaminetetra acetic acid.)

Solution Culture
 It is performed in glass jars or polythene bottles.
 The container is covered with black paper after pouring solution into them.
 Black paper has two functions -(a) Prevention of growth of algae (b) Prevention of reaction of
roots with light.
 Seeds are allowed to germinate over split cork.
 Cotyledons are removed after seedling formation.
 The plant is properly supported with the help of split cork.
 Solution is aerated at regular intervals and is changed after 2-3 days.

Hydroponics
 Commercial technique of soil less culture is called Hydroponics, which was first developed by
Goerick (1940).
 In 1860, Julius von Sachs, a German botanist, demons rated for the first time, that plants could
be grown to maturity in a defined nutrient solution in complete absence of soil.
 Culture is performed in large tanks of metal or Reinforced Cement Concrete (R.C.C.) Tanks
are covered with wire mesh.
 Tanks are provided with aerating and circulating techniques.
 Seeds are suspended in solution from the wire mesh with the help of threads.
 As plant grows up additional support is provided.

Mineral Nutrition || 3
Significance
(i) Useful in areas having thin, infertile and dry soils.
(ii) It can regulate the pH at optimum for a particular crop.
(iii) It controls soil borne pathogens.
(iv) It avoids problem of weeding.
(v) Out of season vegetables (like tomato, seedless cucumber, lettuce) and flowers can also be
obtained.

Concept Builder
Aeroponics
 It is technique of soil-less culture in which roots of plants are suspended in mist of oxygenated
nutrient solution.
Sand Culture
 In this method, sand is used as a rooting medium and nutrient solution is added to it. It is better
than solution cultures w.r.t. providing solid medium and natural aeration for plant. growth.
However, this method has following drawbacks:
(i) The sand being highly alkaline in nature, has to be treated with acid before use.
(ii) The sand get very warm during summer and very cool during winters, hence may cause injury
to the root system.
(iii) The water holding capacity of sand is very low, hence, it requires freqent watering.

Conceptual Questions
Fill in the blanks:
Essential elements are divided into broad categories based on their quantitative
requirements.
act as frame work elements.
K, Mg and counteract the toxic effect of other minerals.
is technique of soil-less culture in which roots of plants are suspended in mist of oxygenated
nutrient solution.
Ans. 1. Two, 2. C, H and O, 3. Ca, 4. Aeroponics

TOXICITY OF MICRONUTRIENTS
(a) Micronutrients are required by plants in low amounts. Moderate decrease and increase causes
deficiency symptoms and toxicity respectively.
(b) Any mineral ion concentration in tissues that reduces the dry weight of tissues by about 10
percent is considered toxic.
e.g., Manganese toxicity results in a primary symptom i.e., brown spots surrounded by
chlorotic veins. On the other hand, it competes with Fe and Mg for uptake and with Mg for
binding with enzymes. It also inhibits calcium translocation in shoot apex.
Therefore, excess of manganese induce deficiencies of iron, magnesium and calcium.

Mineral Nutrition || 4
MOBILITY OF ELEMENTS
 The elements which cannot move freely in the plants (e.g., Ca, B, S, Fe) are called immobile
elements.
 Deficiency symptoms of such elements first appear in young leaves.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS OF ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

 The concentration of the element below which plant growth is retarded is termed as critical
concentration.
 The element is said to be deficient when present below the critical concentration.
 The deficiency brings about certain morphological changes called deficiency symptoms.
 If deficiency of an essential element continues, it may eventually lead to the death of the plant.
 The common deficiency symptoms are chlorosis, necrosis, stunting, premature fall of organs
and inhibition of cell division.
 Deficiency of any element can cause multiple symptoms and the same symptoms may be
caused by deficiency of one of several different elements.

Functions and Deficiency symptoms of mineral elements

Mineral Element Principal Functions Deficiency symptoms
1. Nitrogen (a) All living matter Chlorosis first in older leaves, premature
(b) Amino acids, proteins leaf fall, reduced yield.
(c) Purines, pyrimidines Red leaf of cotton
(d) Early defoliation Development of anthocyanin pigment
(e) NAD, NADP, FMN, FAD
(f) Chlorophyll, cytochromes
2. Phosphorus (a) Nucleic acids Chlorosis with necrosis, premature
(b) Nucleoproteins abscission of leaf, poor vasculature.
(c) Phospholipids Cambial activity checked.
(d) AMP, ADP, ATP,
(e) NAD, NADP
(f) Indispensible role in
energy metabolism
3. Potassium (a) Permeability Mottled chlorosis, premature death, loss of
(b) Cation anion balance apical dominance, lodging in cereals. Bushy
(c) Commonest free ion in cell habit.
(d) Stomatal movements Cotton rust
(e) Translocation of sugars
(f) Enzymes concerned with
photosynthesis, nitrate
reduction, protein bio-
synthesis, respiration, etc

Mineral Nutrition || 5
4. Calcium (a) Cell wall synthesis, Stunted growth, degeneration of meristems,
particularly middle lamella chlorosis, necrosis, curling first in young
(b) Membrane structure leaves. Black heart of Celery.
(c) Influences nitrate
reductase
(d) In ion transport
(e) In cell elongation and
spindle formation
(f) Activator of amylases,
adenyl kinase, ATPase,
etc.
5. Magnesium (a) Component of chlorophyll Marginal curling, intervainal chlorosis with
(b) Activator of a number of anthocyanin accumulation first appearing in
photosynthetic and older leaves. 'Sand drown' of Tobacco.
respiratory enzymes
(c) Joining of the subunits of
ribosomes
(d) Synthesis and hydrolysis
of ATP
6. Sulphur (a) Part of CoA, Ferredoxin, Chlorosis first in young leaves, reduced
Vit. H, Thiamine, Lipoic nodulation in legume. Tea yellow,
acid, Sinigrin, Biotin extensive root system.
(b) Amino acids e.g.,
Cysteine, Cystine,
methionine
7. Iron (a) Structural component of Interveinal chlorosis first in young leaves.
porphyrin molecules, Green Netting of Citrus.
cytochromes, catalase,
peroxidase,
leghaemoglobin
8. Molybdenum (a) Component of nitrate Mottled chlorosis, whiptail of cauliflower,
reductase loosening of inflorescence of cauliflower.
(b) Important in N2 fixation Scald of beans.
9. Boron (a) Translocation of sugars Brown heart of turnip, internal cork of
(b) For seed, pollen and spore apple, heart rot of sugarbeet, decreased
germination nodulation in legumes. Hollow stem of
(c) Enzymes of cauliflower, stem crack of Celery.
phosphorylation
(d) RNA metabolism
(e) Phenol metabolism and
cell differentiation

Mineral Nutrition || 6
 (f) Regulates pentose
phosphate pathway
(g) Flowering and fruiting
(h) For uptake and
utilisation of Ca+2
10. Copper (a) Oxidase enzyme: Dieback, exanthema, reclamation disease,
tyrosinase plastocyanin, blackening of potato tubers, chlorosis
cytochrome oxidase and
ascorbic acid oxidase.
11. Manganese (a) In chlorophyll synthesis Interveinal chlorosis, grey speck of oat,
(b) In photolysis of H2O in marsh spot disease of pea.
photosynthesis
(c) Maintenance of
chloroplast membrane
structure
(d) Enzyme systems: RNA
polymerase, NAD-malic
enzyme in C4 plants
12. Zinc (a) Tryptophan synthesis Little leaf, leaf rosettes, leaf
(precursor of auxin) malformations, white bud, whip tip of
(b) Carboxylase enzymes, maize, Khaira disease of rice.
Dehydrogenase enzymes
(pyridine nucleotide,
alcohol, glucose-6-P and
triose phosphate)
(c) Carbonic anhydrase
(d) Promotes synthesis of
cytochromes
(e) Stabilizes ribosomal
fractions.
13. Chlorine (a) In the transfer of electron Bronze colour in leaves, chlorosis,
from water to PS I. necrosis, swollen root tips, flower
(Photolysis) abscission.
(b) Maintain cation-anion
balance
14. Nickel (a) Urease and hygrogenase It helps in germination and early seedling
activity growth of Jack Bean seeds. It causes
necrotic spots.

Mineral Nutrition || 7
Concept Builder
1. Chlorosis is caused by the deficiency of elements N, K, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Mo.
2. Necrosis is due to the deficiency of Ca, Mg, Cu, K.
3. Lack or low level of N, K, S, Mo causes an inhibition of cell division.
4. N, S, Mo elements delay flowering if their concentration in plants is low.

Self Assessment

Find odd one out w.r.t. micronutrients

(1) Mn (2) B (3) Cu (4) Ca
Lack or low level of causes an inhibition of cell division.
(1) Ca, Mg, Cu, K (2) N, K, S, Mo (3) N, K, Mg, S, Fe (4) Zn, Mo, Mn
All given statements are correct w.r.t. criteria of essentiality of minerals, except
(1) Element must be absolutely necessary for normal growth and reproduction
(2) Element must be replaceable by another element
(3) Absence of a specific element causes deficiency in the plant which is corrected only by
adding the specific mineral in the soil
(4) Element play a direct role in plant metabolism
Mark the correct option (w.r.t. hydropolJics)
(1) It can avoid problem of soil borne pathogens
(2) It avoids problem of weeding
(3) Out of season vegetables and flowers can be obtained
(4) All of these
Which of the given is not a beneficial element?
(1) Co (2) Na (3) Si (4) Ni
Primary symptom of manganese toxicity is
(1) Appearance of Brown spots surrounded by chlorotic veins
(2) Loss of apical dominance
(3) Little leaf disease
(4) Reclamation disease
Select an incorrect match
(1) Mn - Photolysis of water
(2) Fe - Carbohydrate and water translocation
(3) S - Constitutent of coenzyme A
(4) Ca - Synthesis of middle lamella
(a) Essential elements are components of energy related compounds
(b) Essential elements are components of structural elements of cells
(c) Mn2+ is an activator of alcohol dehydrogenase
(1) All are correct (2) Only (a) is incorrect
(3) Only (b) is incorrect (4) Only (c) is incorrect

Mineral Nutrition || 8
Q.9 Deficiency of which set of minerals first appear in older leaves?
(1) N, K, Mg (2) N, Mg, Ca (3) S, B, Mg (4) Mg, Ca, Fe
Q.10 Which of the following mineral element is required by plants in the greatest amount?
(1) Phosphorus (2) Sulphur (3) Nitrogen (4) Potassium

Ans. Q.1 (4), Q.2 (2), Q.3 (2), Q.4 (4), Q.5 (4), Q.6 (1), Q.7 (2), Q.8 (4), Q.9 (1), Q.10 (3)

MINERAL ABSORPTION
 Minerals are mainly absorb by the root which is in direct contact with the soil solution.
 Maximum mineral absorption occurs through zone of cell elongation.
 The process of absorption can be demarcated into two main phases.
 In the first phase, an initial rapid uptake of ions into the 'free space' or 'outer space' of cell -the
apoplast, is passive.
 In the second phase of uptake, the ions are taken in slowly into the 'inner space' –the symplast
of the cells.
 The symplast movement requires metabolic energy, i.e., it is an active process.
 The movement of dissolved substances into and out of cell is called transport or flux.
 Many theories have been given to explain the mechanism of mineral salt absorption.
 These theories can be grouped into following two categories:
(1) Passive mineral absorption
(2) Active mineral absorption
(1) Passive absorption
 Absorption of ions without use of metabolic energy is known as passive absorption.
 It occurs by means of diffusion in most cases.
 Molecules or ions diffuse from a region bf their higher concentration to a region of their lower
concentration.
 The movement of mineral ions into root cells as a result of diffusion is called passive
absorption.
 Main theories for passive absorption are described below:
(a) Ion exchange: This theory was proposed by Jenny and Overstreet (1938). Exchange of
anions and cations absorbed on colloidal fraction of the soil (clay and humus) with the ions
adsorbed on root surface is referred to as ion exchange.
(i) Contact Exchange : This is based on the ion exchange from one adsorbent to another without
the participation of free electrolyte. An ion which is adsorbed electrostatically to a solid
particle is not tightly bound, but oscillate within a small volume of space. This is termed
oscillation volume. According to this concept, H+ ions exchange with the cations and OH– ions
exchange with anions.
(ii) Carbonic acid exchange: CO2 is released by root respiration, which forms carbonic acid when
dissolved in soil water. This carbonic acid dissociate into H+ and HCO3– ions. Released H+ ions
exchange with cations and HCO3– ions exchange with anions.

Mineral Nutrition || 9
(b) Donnan equilibrium: This mechanism was proposed by Donnan (1911). Entry of ions into the
cell across the plasma membrane to maintain electrical equilibrium is called Donnan
equilibrium. Some anions or cations get firmly attached to the inner surface of plasma
membrane (fixed and non-diffusible ions). To neutralise these, ions of opposite charges gain
entrance in the cell passively (against concentration gradient i.e., without energy expenditure).
(c) Mass flow or Bulk Flow Theory. According to Hylmo, the ion absorption increases with
increase in transpiration. The ions have been considered to move in mass with flow of water
from the soil solution through the root and eventually to the shoot.

(2) Active mineral absorption

 The absorption of ions, involving use of metabolic energy is called active absorption. This
occurs against the concentration gradient. Energy used in this mechanism comes from
metabolic activities, especially respiration.

Figure: The protein-carrier hypothesis

(a) Carrier Concept : This concept was proposed by Van den Honert. According to this concept,
there are separate protein carriers for cations and anions. The carrier forms an ion-carrier
complex on the outer face of the membrane. This complex dissociates and releases ions into
inner-space. The inactivated carrier is again activated by the enzyme kinase. In this process
ATP is used up, this activated carrier again accepts new ions and entire cycle is repeated.
(b) Cytochrome Pump Hypothesis - It was proposed by Lundegardh and Burstrom. This gates
that anions are absorbed actively and cations passively. At the outer surface of membrane,
cytochrome loses an electron durin oxidation and picks up an anion in exchange. It is then
transported to the inner side of the membrane through the-cytochrome chain. The cations move
passively along the electrical gradient created by the accumulation of anions at the inner
surface of membrane. The increased rate of respiration upon anion intake is called as salt
respiration.

Mineral Nutrition || 10
 (c) Protein Lecithin Theory : Proposed by Bennet and Clark. They observed that a phospholipid
called lecithin is involved .in transport of ions and act as carrier. The lecithn is composed of
phosphatidic acid and choline. Phosphate group in phosphatidic acid is regarded as e active
cation binding center and choline is anion binder. These ions are liberated on the inner surface
of the membrane by catalysis of lecithin presence of enzyme lecithinase. The regeneration of
lecithin from phosphatidic acid and choline occurs in presence of choline acetylase, choline
esterase and ATP.

NITROGEN CYCLE
 Nitrogen is the most prevalent element in living organisms.
 The atmosphere contain near about 78% of N2 by volume.
 Plants complete with microbes for the limited nitrogen that is available in soil.
 Thus, it is a limiting nutrient for both natural and agricultural ecosystems.
 N2 cycle can be conveniently discussed under the following steps
(i) N2 fixation (ii) Ammonification (iii) Nitrification (iv) Denitrification

Figure: The Nitrogen Cycle

(I) NITROGEN FIXATION
 Nitrogen exists as two nitrogen atoms joined by a very strong triple covalent bond (N N).
 The process of conversion dinitrogen (N2) to ammonia is termed as nitrogen fixation.
 Following are the methods of N2-fixation:
A. Physico-Chemical method : During thunder, lightening and by using UV rays, atmospheric
N2 and oxygen combine to form oxides of nitrogen which form nitrous and nitric acid with
water. This may form nitrates of calcium, potassium and ammonium.
B. Industrial N2 fixation: Industrial combustions, forest fires, automobile exhausts and power
generating stations are also sources of atmospheric nitrogen oxides.

Mineral Nutrition || 11
 C. Biological N2 fixation : Only certain prokaryotic species are capable of fixing N2. Biological
N2 fixation may be asymbiotic, symbiotic or through loose symbiosis. Biological N2 fixation is
called diazotrophy and agents of this process are called diazotrophs.

Concept Builder
Some important N2 fixing organisms
(a) Asymbiotic N2 fixers:
Bacteria
(i) Aerobic – Azotobacter, Beijerinckia
(ii) Facultative Aerobic – Klebsiella, Bacillus
(iii) Anaerobic – Clostridium
(iv) Photosynthetic – Chromatium, Rhodospirillum
Blue Green Algae – Anabaena, Aulosira, Nostoc, Scytonema etc. Heterocyst is present in
these blue green algae which is responsible for N2 fixation.
(b) Symbiotic N2 fixers:
(i) In root nodule of legumes – Rhizobium
(ii) In root nodule of Alnus, Casuarina, Myrica – Frankia
(iii) In leaf nodule of Dioscorea, Pavetta and Psychotria – Klebsiella
(iv) In coralloid root of Cycas – Anabaena cycadae
(v) In fronds of Azolla – Anabaena azollae
(vi) In thallus of Anthoceros – Nostoc
(c) Intermediate: Loose symbiosis with the roots of Sorghum, Zea etc. by Azospirillum.

Conceptual Questions
Second phase of ion uptake occurs through apoplast.
According to Hylmo, the ion absorption increases with increase in transpiration.
Beijerinckia and Clostridium are aerobic N2 fixers.
Anabaena azollae is present in the root of Azolla.

Rhizobium -Legume Symbiosis

 Principal stages of nodule formation are summarised as follows:
1. Rhizobia are gram negative aerobic rod-shaped bacteria. This genus is responsible for
symbiotic N2 fixation in legumes.

Figure: Development of root nodules in legumes

Mineral Nutrition || 12
2. Legume roots secrete some specific chmicals (e.g., Fivonoids) which attract the bacteria.
Rhizobia multiply an colonise-the surroundings of roots and get attached to epidermal root hair
cells.
3. The root hairs curl by the action of nod factors secreted by bacteria and the bacteria invade the
root hair.
4. An infection thread is produced, carrying the bacteria into the cortex region of root.
5. Cortical cells are stimulated divide rapidly. It is due to auxins secreted by plants and
cytokinins secreted by bacteria.
6. Bacteria enters only polyploid cells of cortex. Some of them enlarge and become membrane
bound structures called bacteroids. These form the seat of N2 fixation. These specialised
cortical cells now form nodules. Nodules establish a direct vascular connection with the host
for exchange of nutrients.
7. The nodules contain a red coloured pigment called leghaemoglobin (LHb). The globin part of
leghaemoglobin is formed by host genome, while the heme portion is formed by bacteria.
8. This pigment is O2 carrier and is also called scavenger of O2.
9. Nitrogenase enzyme (synthesized by nif genes of bacteria) is required to fix N2. It is an O2
sensitive enzyme made up of two unequal sub units. Large component has Fe-Mo moiety,
while, small component has only Fe-moiety. Here Mo acts as an acceptor and donor of
electrons, when N2 is reduced to NH3 LHb maintains anaerobic conditions.
10. N2 fixation requires energy, so it is an active process.
N2 + 8e– + 8H+ + l6 ATP —→ 2NH3 + H2 + 16ADP + 16Pi
11. N2 fixation occurs under the controJ of plant nod gene and bacterial nod, nif and fix gene
cluster.
12. During this process, atmospheric N2 is reduced by the addition of hydrogen atom.
13. Strong reducing agents e.g., NADPH2, FMNH2, Ferredoxin are also required.
14. Donor of electron and H+ is generally glucose-6-phosphate; certain cofactors like -TPP, Mg++
and CoA are also involved.

15. ATP is provided by the host respiration process.

16. NH3 so formed is used for the synthesis of amino acids. These acts as building blocks for the
synthesis of various types of protein.

Mineral Nutrition || 13
(II) AMMONIFICATION
 Plants absorb inorganic nitrogen and convert it into proteins.
 After the death of organisms and plants, proteins are broken into ammonia by the following
two steps:
(a) Proteolysis: It is breakdown of proteins
Protein ⎯ P⎯ ⎯ ⎯ peptides ⎯ P⎯
roteases
⎯⎯
eptidases
amino acids
→ →
(b) Deamination : Ammonia is released from the amino acids.
⎯⎯ ⎯→ organic acid + ammonia
Deaminase
Amino acid + ⎯
H2O
 It is done by Bacillus ramosus, B. vulgaris, and B. mycoides. This ammonia is converted into
nitrate which is absorbed by' the plants.

(III) NITRIFICATION
 It is oxidation of ammonia into nitrate, it involves following steps:
(a) Conversion of ammonia into nitrate
2NH3 + 3O2 ⎯N⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯⎯
itrosomonas, Nitrococcus, Aspergillus flavus
→ 2NO2– + 2H+ + 2H2O + Energy
(b) Conversion of nitrite into nitrate.
2NO2– + O2 ⎯N⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯⎯
itrobacter, Nitrocystis, Penicillium, Aspergillus flavus
→ 2NO3– + energy
Nitrate assimilation : Nitrate cannot be used by the plant as such. It is first converted into ammonia
before being incorporated into organic compounds. Nitrate is reduced in two steps -
The process of nitrate reduction to ammonia is called nitrate assimilation and is accomplished
in two steps mediated by two specific enzymes:
(a) First, the nitrate is reduced to nitrite by an enzyme called nitrate reductase. This enzyme is a
flavoprotein and contains molybdenum.
(b) The nitrite ions are then reduced to ammonia by an anzyme called nitrate reductase.
Ferredoxin is the most direct source of electrons for nitrite reduction and hence, it occurs
specifically in leaves. Therefore, nitrite ions formed in other parts of the plant are tranported to
leaves and further reduced to ammonia. Nitrite reductase does not require molybdenum but
contains copper and iron.

Amino acid
NH3
synthesis
Nitrate ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ → Nitrite ⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
→
Nitrate reductase Nitrite reductase

 H2H + OH
NADH2 NAD + H2O 6H+ + ADH2

Respiraton PSI

 Ammonia thus formed, is fixed by the organic acids to produce amino acids which form other
Mineral Nutrition || 14
nitrogenous compounds.

Mineral Nutrition || 15
 (IV) DENITRIFICATION
 Nitrates are broken down into gaseous nitrogen or nitrolls oxides by some microorganisms.
 It is called denitrification e.g., Thiobacillus denitrificans, Micrococcus denitrificans,
Pseudomonas denitrificans.

FATE OF AMMONIA
 At physiological pH, the ammonia is protonated to form NH + ions,
4 which is quite toxic to
plants and hence cannot be accumulated by them. This is commonly used up to synthesize
(a) Amino acids and or (b) Amides
(a) Amino Acids
 Amino acids are generally the initial products of N2 assimilation. Mainly, these two processes
are used by plants to synthesise amino acid :
(i) Reductive Amination : In this process, NH3 reacts with -ketoglutaric acid and forms
glutamic acid.
-Ketoglutaric acid + NH4+ + NAD(P)H ⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯→ Glutamic acid + H2O + NAD (P).
glu tamate
dehydrogenase

(ii) Transamination : It involves the transfer of amino group from one amino acid to the keto
group of other keto acid.
Glutamic acid is the main amino acid from which other 17 amino acids are formed through
transamination. Enzyme required for this reaction is transaminase.
(b) Amides
 Two most important amides present in plants are asparagine and glutamine.
 These are formed from two amino acids, glutamic acid and aspartic acid.
 For this reaction, glutamine synthetase and asparagine synthetase are required respectively.
 Amides contain more N2 than amino acids and are structural part of most proteins, these are
transported through xylem vessels.
 Inaddition, along with the transpiration stream the nodules of some plants (e.g., soyabean)
export the fixed nitrogen as ureides (allantoin, allantoic acid and citrulline).

Concept Builder
1. Efforts are being made to develop varieties of plants that can mine the metals from the soil so
that soil can be reclaimed for agricultural practice, this is called phytoremediation.
2. Foliar application of Fe, Mn and Cu is more efficient than application through the soil.
3. Winogradasky (1891) discovered-biological nitrogen fixation.
4. Cobalt collects mostly in hydathodes and is required in N2 fixation.
5. Selenium accumulation is shown by Astragalus.
6. Gallium accumulates in Lemoa and Aspergillus.
7. Phytotron : When plant is grown in controlled conditions of temperature, light, pH etc.
8. Stem nodules are found in Sesbania sp.
9. True humus plant is Wullschleigelia aphylla.
10. Single lon channels (by Neher & Sakman) are transmembrane proteins for entry of specific
ions.

Mineral Nutrition || 16
Self Assessment

(a) Maximum mineral absorption through zone of elongation.

(b) Initial uptake of minerals is slow, into the symplast.
(c) Uptake in inner space is rapid.
(1) All are correct (2) Only (a) is incorrect
(3) (b) and (c) are incorrect (4) Only (c) is incorrect
Find odd one out w.r.t. theories of active mineral absorption
(1) Donnan's equilibrium (2) Cytochrome pump hypothesis
(3) Protein-Lecithin theory (4) Carrier concept
According to protein carrier concept given by Van den Honert
(1) There are separate protein carriers for anions and cations
(2) Formation of ion carrier complex requires ATP
(3) Cations are absorbed passively
(4) Enzyme lecithinase is involved in the process
Rhizobium and Frankia
(1) Are free living in soil, but as symbionts, can fix atmospheric nitrogen
(2) Produces nodules on the roots of leguminous plants
(3) Are strictly anaerobic
(4) More than one option is correct
Select an incorrect match
(1) Rhodospirillum -Photosynthetic nitrogen fixer
(2) Bacillus -Symbiotic N2 fixer
(3) Alnus -Frankia
(4) Azotobacter -Free living, aerobic N2 fixer
Find a correct set of requirements to fix a molecule of atmospheric nitrogen (N2)
(1) 8e–, 8H+, 8ATP (2) 16e–, 16H+, 16ATP
(3) 8e–, 8H+, 16ATP (4) 16e–, 16H+, 8ATP
Enzyme nitrogenase is
(1) A Cu-Fe protein (2) Found in prokaryotes only
(3) An O2 requiring enzyme (4) Essential to convert NH3 to N2
Read the following statements carefully (w.r.t. symbiotic nitrogen fixation)
(a) Auxins are secreted by plants and cytokinins by bacteria when bacteria enter cortical
region.
(b) Globin part of leghaemoglobin is formed by bacterial genome.
(c) Plant provides the ATP required for N2 fixation.
(1) All are correct (2) Only (b) is correct
(3) (a) & (c) are correct (4) (a) & (b) are incorrect

Mineral Nutrition || 17
Q.19 All given statements are correct w.r.t. fate of ammonia, except
(1) Glutamine and asparagine are two most important amides in plants
(2) -Ketoglutaric acid provides carbon skeleton for the process of reductive amination
process
(3) Amides are transported through sieve tubes
(4) Glutamic acid is the main amino acid that provides NH2 group during transamination
process
Q.20 Nitrosomonas, Nitrococcus and Aspergillus flavus are involved in the process of
(1) Ammonification (2) Nitrate assimilation
(3) Nitrification (4) Denitrification

Ans. Q.11 (3), Q.12 (1), Q.13 (1), Q.14 (1), Q.15 (2), Q.16 (3), Q.17 (2), Q.18 (3), Q.19 (3), Q.20 (3)

Mineral Nutrition || 18
 Summary
 Plants obtain their inorganic nutrients from air, water and soil.
 Plants absorb a wide variety of minerals elements.
 Not all the mineral elements that they absorb are required by plants.
 Out of the more than 105 elements discovered so far, less than 21 are essential and beneficial
for normal plant growth and development.
 The elements required in large quantities are called macronutrient while those required in less
quantities or in trace are termed as micronutrients.
 These elements are either essential constituents of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acid
etc. and/or take part in various metabolic processes.
 Deficiency of each of these essential elements may lead to symptoms called deficiency
symptoms.
 Chlorosis, necrosis, stunted growth, impaired cell division, etc. are some prominent deficiency
symptoms.
 Plants absorb minerals through roots by either passive or active processes.
 They are tarried to all parts of the organism through xylem along with water transport.
 Nitrogen is very essential for the sustenance of life.
 Plants cannot use atmospheric nitrogen directly.
 But some of the plants in association with N2-fixillg bacteria, especially roots of legumes, can
fix this atmospheric nitrogen into biologically usable forms.
 Nitrogen fixation requires a strong reducing agent and energy in the form of ATP.
 N2-fixation is accomplished with the help of nitrogen fixing microbes, mainly Rhizobium.
 The enzyme nitrogenase which plays an important role in biological N2-fixation is very
sensitive to oxygen. Most of the processes take place in anaerobic environment.
 The energy ATP, required is provided by the respiration of the host cells.
 Ammonia produced following N2-fixation is incorporate into amino acids as the amino group

Mineral Nutrition || 19
 Exercise–1
Section-A
Which is not a criteria for essentiality of a mineral?
(1) Direct role in metabolism (2) Requirement is specific
(3) Deficiency causes hunger signs (4) Dispensible for growth
Essential elements are
(1) Only macronutrients (2) Only micronutrients
(3) Both macro and micronutrients (4) C, H, O and N only
Which is not a trace element?
(1) Mn (2) Cu (3) Mo (4) K
Which is not a true statement regarding macronutrients?
(1) Forms plant structure (2) Become toxic in excess
(3) No role in electron transfer (4) Develop osmotic potential
Choose false statement regarding micronutrients
(1) Become toxic in excess (2) Do not cause osmotic potential
(3) Little role in protoplasmic structure (4) Role in enzyme activation is secondary
The delay of flowering will result due to combine deficiency of
(1) N, K, S, Mo (2) Mg, Fe, S (3) N, S, Mo (4) Ca, Fe, Mg
Who prescribed a medium containing microelements for the first time?
(1) Gericke (2) Amon, Hoagland (3) Knop (4) Stout
Excess of mangnese may induce deficiencies of
(1) Iron (2) Calcium (3) Magnesium (4) All of these
Partial mineral element is
(1) N (2) P (3) K (4) Mg
Deficiency of which element causes deficiency of nitrogen
(1) Mo (2) K (3) Mn (4) S
Minerals associated with redox reactions are
(1) N, Cu (2) Fe, Cu (3) Fe, K (4) Mn, Mo
Minerals which maintain cation - anion balance in cells are
(1) Cl, K (2) Fe, Cu (3) K, P (4) Ca, Fe
Interveinal chlorosis is due to deficiency of
(1) Fe (2) Cu (3) N (4) B
Match the column I and II
Column I Column II
(Mineral) (Deficiency Symptom)
a. Cu (i) Malformed leaves
b. Zn (ii) Grey spots on leaves
c. Mn (iii) Longitudinal splitting of bark
d. B (iv) Absence of root nodules
(1) a(iii), b(i), c(iv), d(ii) (2) a(iii), b(i), c(ii), (iv)
(3) a(iii), b(ii), c(iv), d(i) (4) a(i), b(ii), c(iii), d(iv)

Mineral Nutrition || 20
Which of the following groups of elements are mobile?
(1) Fe, Ca, B (2) N, P, K (3) B, K, Ca (4) Ca, Mg, K
Which of the following elements are required for chlorophyll synthesis?
(1) Fe and Mg (2) Mo and Ca (3) Cu and Ca (4) Ca and K
If chloroplast is burnt, then which of the following is left?
(1) Magnesium (2) Manganese (3) Iron (4) Sulphur
One of the following is sulphur containing amino acid
(1) Valine (2) Methionine (3) Tryptophan (4) Phenylalanine
Copper deficiency leads to
(1) Exanthema (2) Whiptail of cauliflower
(3) Little leaf condition (4) Interveinal chlorosis
Phosphorus is found maximum in
(1) Roots (2) Fruits (3) Flowers (4) None of these
Which of the following is required for auxin synthesis?
(1) Calcium (2) Zinc (3) Sugars (4) Proteins
Reversible binding of cations, a property possessed by clay particles is known as
(1) Retentive capacity (2) Cation exchange
(3) Adsorption (4) Chelation
Characteristic of ion channels isfare
(1) They are transmembrane proteins functioning as selective pores
(2) Discovered by Neher and Sakman
(3) They are gated channels
(4) All of these
The theory of Donnan equilibrium explains the presence of some of plasma membrane
(1) Fixed diffusible cations on inner side
(2) Fixed non diffusible anions on inner side
(3) Non fixed diffusible anions on inner side
(4) Non fixed diffusible cations on inner side
Mineral salts which are absorbed by the roots from the soil, are in the from of
(1) Very dilute solution (2) Dilute solution
(3) Concentrated solution (4) Very concentrated solution
Movement of electrolytes through the roots is generally
(1) Against electro chemical gradient and require energy
(2) Along electro chemical gradient and does not require energy
(3) A passive process
(4) Dependent on aquaporins
Ionic uptake against electro chemical gradient without expenditure of metabolic energy can be
explained by
(1) Mass flow (2) Donnan equilibrium
(3) Carrier proteins (4) Both (1) & (2)

Mineral Nutrition || 21
 Transpiration pull or water tension in leaf is responsible for one of the following methods of
absorption of minerals by the plants from soil
(1) Active absorption of minerals (2) Mass flow
(3) Donnan equilibrium (4) Ionic exchange
Ureids are preferred forms for storage and transport of amines in
(1) Wheat (2) Soyabean (3) Pea (4) Lathyrus
During ionic flux, uptake of ions into inner space is
(1) Active (2) Passive (3) Energy dependent (4) Both (1) & (3)
Carrier proteins for active salt uptake
(1) Have pores (2) Form complex with ions
(3) Function under transpiration pull (4) All of these
The translocation of solute is
(1) Equal to the rate of translocation of water
(2) Dependent on transpiration pull
(3) Through xylem vessel
(4) All of these
Find odd one (w.r.t. critical element)
(1) Nitrogen (2) Potassium (3) Nickel (4) Phosphorus
The process of conversion of NH4 → NO2 → NO3 is called
(1) Ammonification (2) Nitrification (3) N2 fixation (4) Denitrification
Which of the following is/are diazotrophs?
(1) Rhizobium and Azotobacter (2) Frankia and Klebsiella
(3) Anabaena and Nostoc (4) All of these
Which is not true for nitrogenase enzyme in root nodules in legumes?
(1) Synthesized by nif genes of Rhizobium (2) Site of reduction of N2 into NH3
(3) It is a Mo-Fe protein (4) Resistant to O2 conc
Cell division in root nodules is promoted by secreted by plant and secreted by
bacteria
(1) Auxin, Cytokinin (2) Cytokinin, Auxin
(3) Auxin, Leghemoglobin (4) Nitrogenase, Leg hemoglobin
Conversion of NO3 → NO2 → NH4 is called and is catalysed by
(1) Nitrate assimilation , nitrate and nitrite reductase
(2) Nitrification, nitrate and nitrite reductase
(3) Ammonification, glutamate dehydrogenase
(4) Denitrification, transaminase
Transported and storage form of nitrogen in plants are
(1) Amides (2) Polypeptides (3) Amino acids (4) -ketoglutaric acids
The amino acid which plays a central role in nitrogen metabolism is/are
(1) Glutamic acid (2) -ketoglutaric acid
(3) Aspartic acid (4) Double aminated keto acids

Mineral Nutrition || 22
Leghemoglobin is found in which one of the following organisms?
(1) Anthoceros (2) Aulosira (3) Nostoc (4) Groundnut
Nitrite reductase enzyme is used to convert
(1) Nitrate into nitrite ion (2) Nitrogen of atmosphere into ammonia
(3) Ammonia into nitrates (4) Nitrite to ammonium ion
Hemi parasites absorb from host
(1) Water and minerals (2) Sugar
(3) Both (1) & (2) (4) Nothing
How many electron and protons are required to fix a dinitrogen?
(1) 32 each (2) 8 each (3) 16 each (4) 4 each
The process of conversion of NO3, NO2 → NH3 → N2 is called and is done by
(1) Nitrification, Nitrosomonas (2) Denitrification, Pseudomonas
(3) Nitrate assimilation, Nitrogenase (4) Ammonification, Bacillus

Section-B
Silicon, Cobalt, Sodium and Selenium are
(1) Essential minerals (2) Required by higher plants
(3) Macronutrients (4) Trace elements
Growing plants in a nutrient solution
(1) Involves use of chelating agent Na-EDTA to keep iron un available to plants
(2) Was first demonstrated by Arnon and Hoagland
(3) Also allows growth of algae in containers
(4) Requires prevention of reaction of light with roots
(a) Moderate decrease or increase of micronutrients causes deficiency and toxicity symptoms
respectively.
(b) Excess of manganese causes toxicity of iron, calcium and molybdenum.
(c) A macronutrient is said to be toxic when present below a critical concentration
(1) Only (a) is correct (2) Only (b) is correct
(3) (b) and (c) are correct (4) (a) and (c) are correct
Select an incorrect match.
Column-I Column-II
(a) Nitrogen (i) Whiptail of cauliflower
(b) Calcium (ii) Red leaf of cotton
(c) Sulphur (iii) Black heart of Celery
(d) Molybdenum (iv) Tea yellow
(1) a(iii), b(i), c(ii), d(iv) (2) a(iv), b(i), c(ii), d(iii)
(3) a(ii), b(iii), c(iv), d(i) (4) a(i), b(iii), c(ii), d(iv)
Tryptophan synthesis, carboxylase activity and little leaf of plants are all associated with
(1) Zn (2) B (3) Ca (4) Cu

Mineral Nutrition || 23
Initial phase of ion uptake
(1) Is passive (2) Occurs through symplast
(3) Is active process (4) More than one option is correct
Most common form of nitrogen uptake and usable forms for plants are respectively
(1) NO3–; NO2– (2) NH3: NO3– (3) NO3–; NH3 (4) NH3 : NO2–
Cycas and Azolla plants are associated with
(1) Bacillus (2) Klebsiella (3) Anabaena (4) Rhizobium
Select the correct statements from the given
(a) Nitrogenase is a heterodimeric protein.
(b) According to Bennet and Clark, anions are absorbed actively and cations passively
(c) Root hairs curl by action of plant 'nod factors' only
(d) During symbiotic N2 fixation ATP is provided by legume plant
(1) (c), d) (2) (a), (d) (3) (b), (c) (4) (a), (c)
Find odd one out w.r.t. denitrifying bacteria.
(1) Thiobacillus (2) Bacillus ramosus (3) Micrococcus (4) Pseudomonas
Which element is left when chlorophyll is burnt-
(1) Iron (2) Manganese (3) Magnesium (4) Molybdenum
Essential macroelements are-
(1) Absorbed from soil (2) Manufactured during photosynthesis
(3) Produced by enzymes (4) Produced by growth hormones
What is the substrate for loading of food in the plants-
(1) IAA (2) Abscisic acid (3) GA (4) K+ ion
Which of the following is not a macro-nutrient-
(1) Mn (2) Ca (3) Mg (4) Phosphorus
The possible resource of phosphorus ions and nitrogen ions in soil generally get depleted
because they are usually found as-
(1) Positively charged ions
(2) Negatively charged ions
(3) A disproportionate mixture of negatively charged ions
(4) Particles carrying no charge
Chlorosis, etiolation and albinism are caused by-
(1) Iron, light and certain genes
(2) Zinc, iron and magnesium
(3) Magnesium, iron, zinc, light and certain genes
(4) Magnesium, zinc and light
Which of the following is a macro-nutrient-
(1) Ca and Mg (2) Mo (3) Mn (4) Zn
Phytotron is a device by which-
(1) Electrons are bombarded
(2) Protons are liberated
(3) Plants are grown in controlled environment
(4) Mutations are produced in plants
Mineral Nutrition || 24
All mineral salts are absorbed in cells as-
(1) Ions (2) Atoms (3) Molecules (4) All the above
Which one of the following elements plays an important role in biological nitrogen fixation-
(1) Molybdenum (2) Manganese (3) Copper (4) Zinc
Chlorosis of plants is caused by the deficiency of-
(1) Iron (2) Boron (3) Copper (4) Calcium
Which one of the following scientists used the nutrient culture solution in hydroponic cultures-
(1) Sachs (2) Webster (3) Wallace (4) Knop
Technique of growing plants without soil in nutrient solutions is called-
(1) Parthenogenesis (2) Hydroponics (3) Aquaculture (4) Tissue culture
Interveinal chlorosis of leaves is caused by the deficiency of-
(1) Nitrogen (2) Calcium (3) Potassium (4) Magnesium
In nature, organic compounds invariably contain-
(1) Carbon (2) Phosphorus (3) Sulphur (4) Magnesium
Which of the following is not macro-nutrient-
(1) C (2) P (3) S (4) Zn
Which of the following element is not essential for plants-
(1) Iron (2) Zinc (3) Potassium (4) Iodine
Which of the following is micro-element in plant-
(1) Manganese (2) Nitrogen (3) Magnesium (4) Calcium
Which of the following is not caused by deficiency of mineral nutrition-
(1) Necrosis (2) Chlorosis (3) Etiolation (4) Shortening internode
Which one is not related with plant ash?
(1) Trace elements (2) Essential elements (3) Nitrogen (4) Mineral elements
Fall of immature leaf is due to the deficiency of-
(1) Sulphur (2) Phosphorus (3) Sodium (4) Zinc
Translocation of sugar in flowering plants occurs in the form of-
(1) Maltose (2) Glucose (3) Sucrose (4) Starch
Hydroponics is a-
(1) Soilless culture (2) Water less Culture (3) Airless culture (4) None of these
The core metal of chlorophyll is-
(1) Fe (2) Mg (3) Ni (4) Cu
Mass flow hypothesis was first described by-
(1) Swanson (2) Buchnan (3) Kursanov (4) Munch
Which of the following helps in the absorption of water and mineral salts-
(1) Mycorrhiza (2) Anbaena (3) Nostoc (4) None of these
Bidirectional translocation of minerals takes place in-
(1) Xylem (2) Phloem (3) Parenchyma (4) Cambium
Cultivation by sand culture is also called-
(1) Soilless cultivation (2) Green house effect
(3) Photorespiration (4) None of these

Mineral Nutrition || 25
Inorganic nutrients are present in the soil in the form of-
(1) Molecules (2) Atoms
(3) Electrically charged ions (4) Parasite
Which of the following contains copper-
(1) Quinone (2) Plastoquinone (3) Plastocyanin (4) None of these
Which of the following is not an essential macroelement for the growth of plants-
(1) N (2) Zn (3) Ca (4) K
Which of the following is the importance of molybdenum in plants metabolism-
(1) Carbon assimilation (2) Nitrate reduction
(3) Plant breeding (4) Chromosome contraction
Phosphorus is a structural element in-
(1) Fat (2) Starch (3) Nucleotide (4) Carbohydrate
The enzyme responsible for the reduction of molecular nitrogen to the level of ammonia in the
leguminous root nodule is-
(1) Nitrogenase (2) Nitrate reductase (3) Nitrite reductase (4) Nitro-ammoniase
Which of the following element is used up in phosphorylation-
(1) Calcium and sulphur (2) Chlorine and maganese
(3) Iron and phosphorous (4) Magnesium and phosphate
The plants accept Zn as-
(1) Zn (2) Zn2+ (3) ZnO (4) ZnSO4
Nodules with nitrogen fixing bacteria are present in-
(1) Cotton (2) Gram (3) Wheat (4) Mustard
Micro-nutrients are-
(1) Less important in nutrition than macronutrients
(2) As important nutrition as macro-nutrients
(3) May be omitted from culture media without any detrimental effect on the plant
(4) Called micro because they play only minor role in nutrition
Nitrogen is an important constituent of-
(1) Proteins (2) Lipids (3) Carbohydrates (4) Polyphosphates
Legume plants are important because they-
(1) Help in NO2 fixation (2) Not help in NO2 fixation
(3) Increased soil fertility (4) All of these
Tracer elements are-
(1) Micro elements (2) Macro-elements (3) Radio isotopes (4) Vitamins
++
Which one is Cu containing pigment-
(1) Ferredoxin (2) Plastocyanin (3) Plastoquinone (4) Cytochrome
Which of the following deficiency may cause leaf tip bending-
(1) Sulphur (2) Nitrogen (3) Phosphorus (4) Calcium
Gray space disease in oats takes place by the deficiency of-
(1) Zinc (2) Copper (3) Potassium (4) Manganese

Mineral Nutrition || 26
 The number of essential elements required for normal growth of plant is-
(1) 10 (2) 16 (3) 20 (4) 25
Important contribution of molybdenum is-
(1) Flower growth (2) Nitrogen fixation
(3) Chromosome condensation (4) Carbon fixation
Which of the following is not a micro or trace element-
(1) Boron (2) Molybdenum (3) Manganese (4) Calcium
Nodules with nitrogen fixing bacteria are present in roots of-
(1) Cotton (2) Gram (3) Wheat (4) Maize
Insectivorous plants can grow well in a soil deficient in-
(1) Calcium (2) Magnesium (3) Nitrogen (4) Iron
Carrier proteins are involved in-
(1) Passive transport of ions (2) Active transport of ions
(3) Water transport (4) Water evaporation
Knot like bodies known as 'nodules' found in the roots of groundnut plant are produced by-
(1) Azospirillum (2) Azotobacter (3) Pseudomonas (4) Rhizobium
Which of the following is used as green manure-
(1) Azolla (2) Azadiracta indica (3) Crotolarea juncea (4) Hevea brassiliansis
Symbiotic microorganism is-
(1) Clostridium (2) Azotobacter (3) Rhizobium (4) Chromatium
The plants that grow on saline soils with high concentration of NaCl, MgSO4 and MgCl2 are
called-
(1) Succulents (2) Mesophytes (3) Xerophytes (4) Halophytes
The major portion of the dry weight of plants comprises of-
(1) Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (2) Nitrogen, Phosphorus and potassium
(3) Calcium, magnesium and sulphur (4) Carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen
Boron in green plants assists in-
(1) Sugar transport (2) Activation of enzymes
(3) Acting as enzyme cofactor (4) Photosynthesis
Active uptake of minerals by roots mainly depends on-
(1) Light (2) Temperature
(3) Availability of CO2 (4) Availability of oxygen
The most abundant element present in the plants is -
(1) Carbon (2) Nitrogen (3) Manganese (4) Iron
A metal ion involved in stomatal regulation is-
(1) Iron (2) Potassium (3) Zinc (4) Magnesium
The plant ash is an indication of-
(1) Organic matter of plant (2) Waste product
(3) Mineral salt absorbed by plants (4) None of these

Mineral Nutrition || 27
 The deficiencies of micronutrients, not only affects growth of plants but also vital functions
such as photosynthetic and mitochondrial electron flow. Among the list given below, which
group of three elements shall affect most both photosynthesis and mitochondrial electron
transport-
(1) Co, Ni, Mo (2) Ca, K, Na (3) Mn, Co, Ca (4) Cu, Mn, Fe
Farmers in particular region were concerned that premature yellowing of leaves of a pulse crop
might cause decrease in the yield. Which treatment could be most beneficial to obtain
maximum seed yield?
(1) Application of iron and magnesium to promote synthesis of chlorophyll
(2) Frequent irrigation of the crop
(3) Treatment of the plants with cytokinins along with a small dose nitrogenous fertilizer
(4) Removal of all yellow leaves and spraying the remaining green leaves with 2,4,5-
trichlorophenoxy acetic acid
Sulphur is an important nutrient for optimum growth and productivity in-
(1) Oilseed crops (2) Pulse crops (3) Cereals (4) Fibre crops
A plant requires magnesium for-
(1) Protein synthesis (2) Chlorophyll synthesis
(3) Cell wall development (4) Holding cells together
Which one of the following element is not an essential micronutrient for plant growth?
(1) Zn (2) Cu (3) Ca (4) Mn
Which is not macro nutrient element-
(1) Mn (2) Mg (3) K (4) Ca

Answer Key

Section–A
Q.1 4 Q.2 3 Q.3 4 Q.4 2 Q.5 4 Q.6 3 Q.7 2
Q.8 4 Q.9 1 Q.10 1 Q.11 2 Q.12 1 Q.13 1 Q.14 2
Q.15 2 Q.16 1 Q.17 1 Q.18 2 Q.19 1 Q.20 2 Q.21 2
Q.22 2 Q.23 4 Q.24 2 Q.25 1 Q.26 1 Q.27 2 Q.28 2
Q.29 2 Q.30 4 Q.31 2 Q.32 4 Q.33 3 Q.34 2 Q.35 4
Q.36 4 Q.37 1 Q.38 1 Q.39 1 Q.40 1 Q.41 4 Q.42 4
Q.43 1 Q.44 2 Q.45 2
Section–B
Q.1 2 Q.2 4 Q.3 1 Q.4 3 Q.5 1 Q.6 1 Q.7 3
Q.8 3 Q.9 2 Q.10 2 Q.11 3 Q.12 1 Q.13 4 Q.14 1
Q.15 2 Q.16 3 Q.17 1 Q.18 3 Q.19 1 Q.20 1 Q.21 1
Q.22 4 Q.23 2 Q.24 4 Q.25 1 Q.26 4 Q.27 4 Q.28 1
Q.29 3 Q.30 3 Q.31 4 Q.32 3 Q.33 1 Q.34 2 Q.35 4
Q.36 1 Q.37 1 Q.38 1 Q.39 3 Q.40 3 Q.41 3 Q.42 2
Q.43 3 Q.44 1 Q.45 4 Q.46 2 Q.47 2 Q.48 2 Q.49 1
Q.50 3 Q.51 3 Q.52 2 Q.53 1 Q.54 4 Q.55 2 Q.56 2
Q.57 4 Q.58 2 Q.59 3 Q.60 1 Q.61 4 Q.62 3 Q.63 3
Q.64 4 Q.65 1 Q.66 1 Q.67 2 Q.68 1 Q.69 2 Q.70 3
Q.71 4 Q.72 3 Q.73 1 Q.74 2 Q.75 3 Q.76 1

Mineral Nutrition || 28
Exercise–2 Previous Years Questions
Which of the following elements are essential of the photolysis of water
[Uttaranchal PMT 2004]
(1) Ca and Cl (2) Mn and Cl (3) Zn and I (4) Cu and Fe
Which of the following is releated with transfer of food material : [Uttaranchal PMT 2005]
(1) Xylem (2) Collenchyma (3) Phloem (4) Parenchyma
Which of the following element is most mobile in plant metabolism :[Uttaranchal PMT 2006]
(1) Calcium (2) Phosphorus (3) Carbon (4) Magnesium
The process of converting ammonia to nitrate by bacteria is known as :
[Uttaranchal PMT 2006]
(1) Ammonification (2) Nitrification (3) Nitrogen fixation (4) Denitrification
Root nodules which are present in plants are meant for fertilizers and are found in/on :
[Uttaranchal PMT 2006]
(1) Certain leguminous plants (2) Casurina
(3) Alnus (4) All of the above
Agriculturists have reported about 40-50% higher yieds of rice by applying :
[Uttaranchal PMT 2006]
(1) Azolla (2) Cyanophycean members
(3) Mycorrhizae (4) Thorn forest
A nutrient element essential for the formation of micro-tubules of the mitotic spindle apparatus
during cell division is : [Uttaranchal PMT 2006]
(1) Phosphorus (2) Sulphur (3) Clacium (4) Zinc
Non-symbiotic N2 fixer is : [West Bengal JEE 2007]
(1) Anabaena (2) Rhizobium (3) Azotobactor (4) Azolla
The N2 fixing bacterium associated with root nodules of legumes is known as :
[C.G. PMT 2004]
(1) Azotobacter (2) Nitrobacter (3) Lactobacillus (4) Rhizobium
The bacteria which convert nitrate in to molecular nitrogen is called : [CGPMT 2004]
(1) Nitrifying bacteria (2) Methanobacteria
(3) Diazotrophic bacteria (4) Denitrifying bacteria
The bacterium capable of anaerobic N2 Fixation is known as : [C.G. PMT 2004]
(1) Clostridium (2) Bacillus (3) Azotobacter (4) Rhizobium
Which element is essential for photolysis of water [C.G. PMT 2004]
(1) Nitrogen (2) Manganese (3) Carbon (4) Oxygen
Which of the following can utilize molecular nitrogen (N2) as nutrient for growth
[C.G. PMT 2004]
(1) Rhizobium (2) Spirogyra (3) Mucor (4) Methancoccus
Sinks are related to : [C.G. PMT 2005]
(1) Transport of organic solutes (2) Stomata
(3) Enzymes (4) phytochrome

Mineral Nutrition || 29
Supply ends in transport of solute are : [C.G. PMT 2005]
(1) Green leaves and storage organs (2) Root and stem
(3) Xylem and Pholem (4) Hormones and enzymes
Which of the following is a biofertilizer : [C.G. PMT 2006]
(1) Funaria (2) Fern (3) Anabaena (4) Fungus
Mo is related with : [C.G. PMT 2006]
(1) N2 fixation (2) Flower induction
(3) Chromosome contraction (4) Carbon collection
Which one of the following elements is present in chlorophylls: [C.G. PMT 2006]
(1) Manganese (2) Magnesium (3) Copper (4) Iron
Which one of the following bacteria has potential for nitrogen fixation : [C.G. PMT 2006]
(1) Nitrosomonas (2) Nitrobacter (3) Nitrosococcus (4) Rhizobium
For nitrogen fixation, pigment useful is : [Jharkhand 2006]
(1) Nitrogenase (2) Haemoglobin (3) Myoglobin (4) Leghaemoglobin
Which of the following is symbiotic bacteria : [Jharkhand 2005]
(1) Rhizobium (2) Azotobactor (3) Clotrisdium (4) Streptomyces
The metal ion involved in stomatal regulation is [Bihar 2002]
(1) Fe (2) Mg (3) Zn (4) K
Legume plants are important for crop production because they : [UP CPMT 2002]
(1) Help in NO2 Fixation (2) Do not help in NO2 Fixation
(3) Increase soil fertility (4) All of these
Which of the following is a nitrogen fixing organism [UP CPMT 2003]
(1) Some BGA (2) Rhizobium (3) Both (1) and (2) (4) Aspergillus
Which of the following of bacteria is involved in two step conversion of NH3 into nitrate :
[UP CPMT 2004]
(1) Azotobacter and nitrosomonas (2) Nitrosomoans and Nitrobacter
(3) Azotobacter and Achromobacter (4) Pseudomonas and Nitrobacter
A metal ion involved in stomatal regulation is : [UP CPMT 2004]
(1) Iron (2) Potassium (3) Zinc (4) Magnesium
The plant ash is an indication of : [UP CPMT 2005]
(1) Organic matter of plant (2) Waste product
(3) Mineral salts absorbed by plants (4) None of these
Plant ash has maximum content of : [UP CPMT 2006]
(1) Mg (2) Fe (3) K (4) B
Which of the following is part of cytochrome: [UP CPMT 2006]
(1) Mg (2) Zn (3) Fe (4) Ca
Food in plants is translocated in the form of : [UP CPMT 2006]
(1) Glucose (2) Starch (3) Sucrose (4) Fructose
Which of the following is not related to N2 fixation [UP CPMT 2006]
(1) Rhizobium (2) Anabaena (3) Pseudomonas (4) Azotobacter

Mineral Nutrition || 30
Which of the following is not caused by deficiency of mineral : [MP PMT 2007]
(1) Chlorosis (2) Etiolation
(3) Shortening of internodes (4) Necrosis
The mineral present in cell walls is : [MP PMT 2007]
(1) Na (2) Ca (3) K (4) Mg
What happened when we inoculated Rhizobium in wheat field : [MP PMT 2007]
(1) No increase in production (nitrogen content of soil remains same)
(2) A lot of increase in production (nitrogen content of soil increase)
(3) Fertility of soil decreases
(4) Fertilite of soil increases
Nitrifying bacteria are able to : [MP PMT 2007]
(1) Convert atomospheric nitrogen into soluble form
(2) Convert ammonia to nitrate
(3) Ammonia to nitrogen
(4) Nitrate to nitrogen
Magnesium is found in : [MP PMT 2001]
(1) Chlorophyll (2) Carotenoid (3) Phycobilin (4) Cytochrome
Which of the following is a trace element : [MP PMT 2001]
(1) S (2) Mg (3) Cu (4) P
Which one of the following organisms may respire in the absence of oxygen :
[MP PMT 2002]
(1) Azotobacter (2) Clostridium (3) Rhizobium (4) Lactobacillus
Which of the following is not a trace element : [MP PMT 2003]
(1) Zn (2) Mn (3) Mg (4) Cu
Symbiotic microorganism is : [MP PMT 2003]
(1) Clostridium (2) Azotobacter (3) Rhizobium (4) Chromatium
Essential mineral nutrients are the element [MP PMT 2005]
(1) In the absence of which plants cannot complete their life cycle
(2) Which cannot be replaced by other element in its function
(3) The element which is directly associated with metabolism of the plant
(4) All of the above
Stomatal movement is controlled by : [MP PMT 2005]
(1) Na (2) Mg (3) K (4) P
Which of the following enzyme fixes nitrogen [MP PMT 2005]
(1) Nitrate reductase (2) Nitrogenase (3) PEP caboxylase (4) Rubisco
The bacterium capable of anaerobic nitrogen-fixation is : [MP PMT 2006]
(1) Azatobacter (2) Rhizobium (3) Bacillus (4) Clostridium
In plant metabolism phosphorus play a major role to : [MP PMT 2006]
(1) Evolve oxygen during photosynthesis (2) Create aerobic condition
(3) Generate metabolic energy (4) Evolve carbon dioixde during respiration

Mineral Nutrition || 31
Photosynthetic food material is transported in the form of : [MP PMT 2006]
(1) Glusose (2) Sucrose (3) Starch (4) Fructose
Chlorosis is caued due to deiciency of [MP PMT 2006]
(1) Mg (2) Ca (3) B (4) Mn
The major portion of the dry weight of plants comprises of : - [AIPMT-2003]
(1) Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (2) Calcium, magnesium and sulphur
(3) Carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen (4) Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
Which one of the following mineral elements plays an important role in biological nitrogen
fixation? [AIPMT-2003]
(1) Copper (2) Manganese (3) Zinc (4) Molybdenum
Stomata of CAM plants : - [AIPMT-2003]
(1) Are always open
(2) Open during the day & close at night
(3) Open during the night & close during the day
(4) Never open
Stomata of a plant open due to : [AIPMT-2003]
(1) Influx of potassium ions (2) Efflux of potassium ions
(3) Influx of hydrogen ions (4) Influx of calcium ions
Plants deficient of element zinc, show its effect on the biosynthesis of plant growth hormone
[AIPMT-2003]
(1) Auxin (2) Cytokinin (3) Ethylene (4) Abscisic acid
In which one of the following is nitrogen not a constituent? [AIPMT-2003]
(1) Idioblast (2) Bacteriochlorophyll
(3) Invertase (4) Pepsin
Gray spots of Oat are caused by deficiency of- [AIPMT-2003]
(1) Cu (2) Zn (3) Mn (4) Fe
The most abundant element present in the plants is - [AIPMT-2004]
(1) Iron (2) Carbon (3) Nitrogen (4) Maganese
The ability of the Venus Flytrap to capture insects is due to - [AIPMT-2005]
(1) Chemical stimulation by the prey
(2) A passive process requiring no special ability on the part of the plant
(3) Specialized “muscle-like” cells
(4) Rapid turgor pressure changes
The deficiencies of micronutrients, not only affects growth of plants but also vital functions
such as photosynthetic and mitochondrial electron flow. Among the list given below, which
group of three elements shall affect most,both photosynthetic and mitochondrial electron
transport : [AIPMT-2005]
(1) Cu, Mn, Fe (2) Co, Ni, Mo (3) Mn, Co, Ca (4) Ca, K, Na

Mineral Nutrition || 32
Potometer works on the principle of : [AIPMT-2005]
(1) Amount of water absorbed equals the amount transpired
(2) Osmotic pressure
(3) Root pressure
(4) Potential difference between the tip of the tube and that of the plant
Farmers in a particular region were concerned that pre-mature yellowing of leaves of a pulse
crop might cause decrease in the yield. Which treatment could be most beneficial to obtain
maximum seed yield [AIPMT-2006]
(1) Removal of all yellow leaves and spraying the remaining green leaves with 2,4,5-
trichlorophenoxy acetic acid
(2) Application of iron and magnesium to promote synthesis of chlorophyll
(3) Frequent irrigation of the crop
(4) Treatment of the plants with cytokinins alongwith a small dose of nitrogenous fertilizer
Sulphur is an important nutrient for optimum growth and productivity in [AIPMT-2006]
(1) Fibre crops (2) Oil seed crops (3) Pulse crops (4) Cereals
A plant requires magnesium for : [AIPMT-2007]
(1) Cell wall development (2) Holding cells together
(3) Protein synthesis (4) Chlorophyll synthesis
Which of the following is a flowering plant with nodules containing filamentous nitrogen-
fixing microoganism ? [AIPMT-2007]
(1) Cicer arietinum (2) Casuarina equisetifolia
(3) Crotalaria juncea (4) Cycas revoluta
About 98 percent of the mass of every living organism is composed of just six elements
including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen oxygen and : [AIPMT-2007]
(1) Calcium and phosphorus (2) Phosphorus and sulphur
(3) Sulphur and magnesium (4) Magnesium and sodium
Which one of the following elements is not an essential micronutrient for plant growth?
[AIPMT-2007]
(1) Ca (2) Mn (3) Zn (4) Cu
Carbohydrates are commonly found as starch in plant storage organs. Which of the following
five properties of starch (a–e) make it useful as a storage material? [AIPMT-2008]
(I) Easily translocated (II) Chemically non-reactive
(III) Easily digested by animals (IV) Osmotically inactive
(V) Synthesized during photosynthesis
The useful properties are-
(1) (I), (III) and (V) (2) (I) and (V) (3) (II) and (III) (4) (II) and (IV)

Mineral Nutrition || 33
Nitrogen flxation is root nodules of Anlus is brought about by : - [AIPMT-2008]
(1) Frankia (2) Azorhizobium (3) Bradyrhizobium (4) Clostridium
Guard cells help in : - [AIPMT-2009]
(1) Fighting against infection (2) Protection against grazing
(3) Transpiration (4) Guttation
Manganese is required in : - [AIPMT-2009]
(1) Chlorophyll synthesis (2) Nucleic acid synthesis
(3) Plant cell wall formation (4) Photolysis of water during photosynthesis
An element playing important role in nitrogen fixation is- [AIPMT-2010 (Pre)]
(1) Manganese (2) Zinc (3) Molybdenum (4) Copper
Which one of the following is not a micronutrient? [AIPMT-2010 (Pre)]
(1) Zinc (2) Boron (3) Molybdenum (4) Magnesium
The chief water conducting elements of xylem in gymnosperms are- [AIPMT-2010 (Pre)]
(1) Transfusion tissue (2) Tracheids (3) Vessels (4) Fibres
Which one of the following structures between two adjacent cells is an effective transport
pathway? [AIPMT-2010 (Pre)]
(1) Endoplasmic reticulum (2) Plasmalemma
(3) Plasmodesmata (4) Plastoquinones
One of the free-living, anaerobic nitrogen-fixer is- [AIPMT-2010 (Pre)]
(1) Rhizobium (2) Azotobacter (3) Beijernickia (4) Rhodospirillum
The common nitrogen-fixer in paddy field is- [AIPMT-2010 (Pre)]
(1) Oscillatoria (2) Frankia (3) Rhizobium (4) Azospirillum
Transport of food material in higher plants takes place thrugh : [AIPMT-2010 (Mains)]
(1) Transfusion tissue (2) Tracheids (3) Sieve elements (4) Companion cells
Given below is the diagram of a stomatal apparatus. In which of the following all the four parts
labelled as A, B, C and D are correctly identified? [AIPMT-2010 (Mains)]

A B C D
(1) Guard cell Stomatal aperture Subsidiary cell Epidermal cell
(2) Epidermal cell Guard cell Stomatal aperture Subsidiary cell
(3) Epidermal cell Subsidiary cell Stomatal aperture Guard cell
(4) Subsidiary cell Epidermal cell Guard cell Stomatal aperture

Mineral Nutrition || 34
 Study the cycle shown below and select the option which gives correct words for all the four
blanks A, B, C and D. [AIPMT-2010 (Mains)]

A B C D
(1) Dentrification Ammonification Plants Animals
(2) Nitrification Dentrification Animals plants
(3) Dentrification Nitrification Plants Animals
(4) Nitrification Ammonification Animals plants
Leguminous plants are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen through the process of symbiotic
nitrogen fixation. Which one of the following statements is not correct during this process of
nitrogen fixation? [AIPMT-2010 (Mains)]
(1) Nodules act as sites for nitrogen fixation
(2) The enzyme nitrogenase catalyses the conversion atmospheric N2 to NH3
(3) Nitrogenase is insensitive to oxygen
(4) Leghaemoglobin scavenges oxygen ans is pinkish in colour.
Which one of the following is correctly matched? [AIPMT Pre 2012]
(1) Apoplast - Plasmodesmata (2) Potassium - Readily immobilisation
(3) Bakane of rice seedlings - F. Skoog (4) Passive transport of nutrients - ATP
Which one of the following is wrong statement? [AIPMT Pre 2012]
(1) Root nodule forming nitrogen fixers live as aerobes under free-living conditions.
(2) Phosphorus is a constituent of cell membranes, certain nucleic acids and all proteins.
(3) Nitrosomnas and Nitrobacter are chemoautotrophs
(4) Anabaena and Nosloc are capable of fixing nitrogen in free-living state also.
A nitrogen-fixing microbe associated with Azolla in rice fields is : [AIPMT Pre 2012]
(1) Anabaena (2) Frankia (3) Tolypothrix (4) Spirulina
Best defined function of Manganese in green plants is : [AIPMT Pre 2012]
(1) Calvin cycle (2) Nitrogen fixation (3) Water absorption (4) Photolysis of water
For its activity, carboxypeptidase requires : [AIPMT Mains 2012]
(1) Zinc (2) Iron (3) Niacin (4) Copper

Mineral Nutrition || 35
 For its action, nitrogenase requires : [AIPMT Mains 2012]
(1) High input of energy (2) Light
2+
(3) Mn (4) Super oxygen radicalsa
The first stable product of fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in leguminous plants is :
[AIPMT 2013]
– –
(1) Ammonia (2) NO3 (3) Glutamate (4) NO2
Deficiency symptoms of nitrogen and potassium are visible first in : [AIPMT 2014]
(1) Roots (2) Buds (3) Senescent leaves (4) Young leaves

Answer Key

Q.1 2 Q.2 3 Q.3 2 Q.4 2 Q.5 4 Q.6 1 Q.7 3

Q.8 3 Q.9 4 Q.10 4 Q.11 1 Q.12 2 Q.13 1 Q.14 1
Q.15 1 Q.16 3 Q.17 1 Q.18 2 Q.19 4 Q.20 4 Q.21 1
Q.22 4 Q.23 3 Q.24 3 Q.25 2 Q.26 2 Q.27 3 Q.28 1
Q.29 3 Q.30 3 Q.31 3 Q.32 2 Q.33 2 Q.34 1 Q.35 2
Q.36 1 Q.37 3 Q.38 2 Q.39 3 Q.40 3 Q.41 4 Q.42 3
Q.43 2 Q.44 4 Q.45 3 Q.46 2 Q.47 1 Q.48 4 Q.49 4
Q.50 3 Q.51 1 Q.52 1 Q.53 1 Q.54 3 Q.55 2 Q.56 4
Q.57 1 Q.58 1 Q.59 2 Q.60 2 Q.61 4 Q.62 2 Q.63 2
Q.64 1 Q.65 4 Q.66 1 Q.67 3 Q.68 4 Q.69 3 Q.70 4
Q.71 2 Q.72 3 Q.73 4 Q.74 4 Q.75 3 Q.76 3 Q.77 1
Q.78 3 Q.79 2 Q.80 2 Q.81 1 Q.82 4 Q.83 1 Q.84 1
Q.85 1 Q.86 3

Mineral Nutrition || 36
Exercise–3 AIIMS Special Questions
Assertion -Reason Type Questions
In the following questions, a statement of assertion (A) is followed by a statement of reason
(R).
(1) If both Assertion & Reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion,
then mark (1).
(2) If both Assertion & Reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the
assertion, then mark (2).
(3) If Assertion is true statement but Reason is false, then mark (3).
(4) If both Assertion and Reason are false statements, then mark (4).
A : Some mineral nutrients are essential.
R : They can be synthesized by the plants.
A : Bacteria enters only the polyploid cells of root cortex.
R : These cells provide cytokinins to bacteria, that promotes bacteria cell division.
A : Chelating agents used in improving availability of some minerals in soil are actually electron
acceptors.
R : They increase solubility of some minerals in acidic soils.
A : N, P, K are called critical elements.
R : They become deficient easily in soil due to leaching and higher requirement.
A : Influx of ions into inner space of cells is an active process.
R : Ions are available for free exchange in free space.
A : Leguminous plants are nitrogen fixers.
R : Leguminous plants have Rhizobium in their root nodules.
A : Use of fertilizers greatly enhances crop productivity.
R : Irrigation is very important in increasing crop productivity.
A : Hydroponics is used for solution culture.
R : A balanced nutrient solution contains both essential and nonessential elements.
A : The leaves of cauliflower become flaccid and brown in molybdenum deficiency.
R : Cauliflower plant is affected by whiptail disease in molybdenum deficiency.
A : Iron takes part in electron transport system of mitochondria.
R : Iron has no role in chlorophyll synthesis.
A : Magnesium is important in photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism.
R : Mg++ is involved in the synthesis of nucleic acids.
A : The bacterium in free-living condition can fix nitrogen.
R : Rhizobium fixes nitrogen asymbiotically.
A : Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legume root nodules survive in oxygen-depleted cells of nodules.
R : Leghaemoglobin completely removes oxygen from the nodule cells.

Mineral Nutrition || 37
 A : Deficiency of sulphur causes chlorosis in plants.
R : Sulphur is a constituent of chlorophyll, proteins and nucleic acids.
A : Iron is a microelement.
R : Microelements are required in traces only, less than 1mg/gm of dry matter.
A : In solution culture of plants, iron is added in the form of Fe-EDTA.
R : Hydroponics set-up is costly.
A : Calcium is a constituent of cell wall.
R : Calcium is required in mitotic division.
A : Manganese is an activator of enzyme nitrite reductase.
R : Manganese deficient cells prefer ammonia over nitrate.

Answer Key

Q.1 3 Q.2 3 Q.3 4 Q.4 1 Q.5 2 Q.6 1 Q.7 2

Q.8 3 Q.9 1 Q.10 3 Q.11 2 Q.12 4 Q.13 4 Q.14 3
Q.15 1 Q.16 2 Q.17 2 Q.18 1
Mineral Nutrition || 37