Mineral elements or nutrients in plants

S/N Mineral elements Functions Deficiency symptoms

1 Phosphorous 1. Essential for protein,chlorophyll (i) Purple or red
and nucleic acid production. pigmentation on leaves
2. Crucial for leaf development (ii) Premature fall of leaves
and overall plant vigour and floral buds
(iii) Delay in seed
germination
(iv) Older leaves affected
first and become dark
brown,
(v) Stunted and slender
stem in young plants,
(vi) Accumulation of
carbohydrates in Glycine
max (Soybean),
(vii) Vascular tissues reduce
in tomato plants.
2 Calcium Important for cell wall (i) Stunted growth
formation,membrane integrity (ii) Chlorosis, downward
and calcium uptake hooking and deformation in
young leaves.
(iii) Necrosis of young
meristematic regions such
as root tips or young leaves.
3 Iron Crucial for chlorophyll young leaf yellowing,
production, plant respiration, interveinal chlorosis.
photosynthesis, and nitrogen
fixation in legumes.
4 Zinc Important for enzyme activity, mottled leaves with
growth regulation, and irregular chlorotic area
chlorophyll synthesis.
5 Nitrogen Essential for protein, chlorophyll, (i) Stunted growth due to
and nucleic acid production, reduced cell division and
crucial for leaf growth and overall dormant lateral buds.
plant vigor. (ii) Chlorosis (yellowing of
leaves),
(iii) Suppressed or late
flowering,
(iv) Increase in starch
content but decrease in
protein content,
6 Copper Essential for enzyme systems, brown spots on terminal
photosynthesis, and overall plant leaves, shoot tips die back.
health.
7 Magnesium A key component of the (i) Chlorosis between the
chlorophyll molecule, essential for leaf veins
photosynthesis and carbohydrate (ii) Necrotic or purple spots
formation. on older leaves.
(iii) Premature leaf
abscission
(iv) Extensive development
of chlorenchyma and scanty
pith formation.
8 Boron Necessary for cell wall formation, Impaired growth and broken
membrane integrity, and calcium stems, death of shoot tips,
 uptake. leading to multiple lateral
branches (bush-like shape).
9 Phosphorous As a component of ATP, the stems and leaves turn
molecule that stores energy in the purple, retarded growth and
living cell, phosphorus is essential maturation, poor flowering,
for all energy-consuming premature drop of flowers
processes in the plant. It is a and fruits.
major ingredient in amino acids
and a component of the cell
membrane. Phosphorus is also
related to the genetic material in
plants, and necessary for seed
germination, photosynthesis,
protein formation, flower and
fruit formation, and almost all
growth and metabolism
processes..
10 Sulfur Important for protein synthesis, i) Chlorosis of younger
enzyme activity, and chlorophyll leaves
production. (ii) Stunted growth
(iii) Accumulation of
anthocyanin
(iv) Terminal bud growth in
inhibited
(v) Lateral buds develop
prematurely.

Mineral elements in animals

S/N Mineral elements Sources Functions Deficiency symptoms
1 Calcium Milk, cheese, Crucial for bone and Rickets (in young animals),
bone meal and tooth formation, and osteoporosis (in older
fortified grains nerve transmission animals), hypocalcemia
(milk fever).
2 Phosphorus Meat,poultry Important for bone Reduced growth, bone
eggs,and and tooth formation, deformities, and infertility.
fortified grains energy metabolism,
and DNA/RNA
synthesis.
3 Magnesium Green leafy Important for bone Hypomagnesemia (grass
vegetables,nuts formation, energy tetany), muscle tremors,
, and seeds metabolism, and and seizures.
nerve function.
4 Sodium Salt,meat, and Important for fluid Dehydration, weakness,
poultry balance, nerve and muscle cramps.
function, and
maintaining blood
pressure.
5 Sulfur Meat, poultry Part of proteins and Reduced growth, coat
eggs, and amino acids, which quality problems, and
legumes are essential for infertility.
growth and repair.
6 Iron Meat, poultry, Essential for red Anemia, fatigue, and
 eggs, and blood cell production weakness.
fortified grains. and oxygen transport
7 Maganese Whole grains, Important for bone Skeletal abnormalities and
nuts, and formation, reproductive problems.
seeds. metabolism, and
reproductive health.
8 Copper Organ meats, Important for red Anemia, skeletal
nuts, and blood cell production, abnormalities, and
seeds. connective tissue neurological problems.
formation, and iron
absorption.
9 Iodine Seafood, Essential for thyroid Goiter (enlarged thyroid
iodized salt, hormone production, gland), hypothyroidism,
and milk. which regulates and developmental
metabolism. problems.
10 Zinc Meat, poultry, Important for Immune deficiency, poor
seafood, and immune function, growth, and skin lesions.
legumes. wound healing, and
growth.