Vol. 11, Special Issue 5 (2022)

Author(s):
C Kashyap, SP Bainade, V Kumar and Anuraj Singh

Abstract:
Nutrients play a very important role in the proper growth and development of crops. The plant needs different types of nutrients for the different growth of plant parts. Both the macro and micronutrients are required for the proper functioning of the physiological functions of plants. The macronutrients are required in a large quantity whereas the micronutrients are required in a very small quantity. The macronutrients are used in percentage or Kg/ha and the micronutrients are used in parts per million (ppm). Different nutrients have different functions and sometimes one nutrient increases the effect of another nutrient. The quality of grain, fruit and flower depends upon the number of nutrients provided or uptake by the plant. Sometimes if any nutrient is deficient then this will cause deficiency symptoms which result in stunted growth, leaf curling etc. The deficiency symptoms depend upon the type of plant and nutrient. The deficiency of any nutrient causes loss in the yield and quality of the product. The excessive amount of nutrient uptake by the plant causes toxicity. The toxicity of nutrients causes toxicity symptoms also and this will cause the death of the plant. The application of nutrients is also very important. For different nutrients, different methods of application are used. The soil application and foliar application are the main types but the application of macronutrients is effective only when soil application is provided. The best method for the micronutrient application is through foliar application. The type of application of nutrients also decides the growth, quality and yield of the crops.