QUICK FACTS
- The requirement of Nitrogen is more in vegetative stage.
- The plant roots take up Nitrogen in nitrate (NO3) form and sometimes in ammonium (NH4) form. Inside the cells, these ions are then converted into amino acids, which are further recombined to form proteins.
- About 75 m pounds of Nitrogen are found in the air above every acre of land and sea, but to most plants, it is as useless in this gaseous form as sea water is to a thirsty man.
- Nitrogen must be combined with Oxygen / Carbon / Hydrogen before it is of any use to growing plants. Some bacteria and leguminous plants with nodules on the roots are able to perform this miracle.
- Molybdenum – the micronutrient required in least amounts – is essential for the reduction of nitrates. Therefore, if Molybdenum is in short supply, the reduction of nitrates suffers and nitrate levels in plant can increase to harmful levels. In turn the protein production also suffers. The leaves become fleshy and get attacked by the sucking pests.
- Nitrogen availability is optimum within the pH range of 6 to 8. Increasing the soil pH reduces the activity of Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria.
FUNCTIONS
- Nitrogen is an important constituent of proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy.
- It is a structural component of chlorophyll.
- It stimulates plants into rapid vigorous growth.
- It improves the quality of leaf and forage crops.
GENERAL DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
- The deficiency of Nitrogen leads to dwarfened shoots.
- Thin stunted growth of a deficient plant.
- Lower leaves of deficient plants exhibit chlorotic symptoms (loss of chlorophyll).
- Its deficiency leads to premature leaf fall.
