NORTHWESTERN MINDANAO STATE COLLEGE
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Labuyo, Tangub City
LABORATORY EXERCISE 4
THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
BAROY, JAMES
DELA RAMA, RAEL JACOB
JALA, CHRISTIAN DESH
MANJAAL, YURI
PORNEA, MARICEL
SOLIS, MICHAELA
Mrs. Jeanne Marsala
Instructor
December 16,2024
INTRODUCTION
Macronutrients are vital components that plants need in larger amounts to support their growth,
development, and overall well-being. These nutrients are key to several physiological and biochemical
functions, affecting everything from root growth to photosynthesis and fruit development. Grasping the
concept of macronutrients is crucial for effective plant care, whether in farming, horticulture, or home
gardening. The main macronutrients consist of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium
(Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). Each of these nutrients serves distinct purposes and assists the
plant in prospering within its surroundings.
The deficiency of any of these nutrients could lead to defects in plant growth and decreased
productivity (Kumar et al., 2021), that is why understanding the roles and interactions of these
macronutrients is essential for optimizing plant health and maximizing agricultural productivity. Proper
management of macronutrient availability through soil testing, fertilization, and sustainable agricultural
practices is vital for ensuring healthy crop yields and maintaining soil fertility, ultimately contributing to
food security and ecosystem sustainability.
Objective of the Study:
1. Determine and visualize the deficiency symptoms of the essential nutrients in plants.
2. Identify the roles of each essential nutrient
3. Recognize the plant growth's potential consequences if essential nutrients are not met.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Locale of the Study
This study was conducted at Purok 4, Labuyo, Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.
Materials
The materials used as the study was conducted included smartphone and computer systems alongside
sufficient internet sources, wherein these devices were used to research important information and queries
regarding the study. The mentioned devices assisted the process of collecting data and information, which
made it possible to accomplish the task accurately.
Procedure
Each deficiency symptoms: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg),
and sulfur (S) in plants were gathered online and the identified symptoms were analyzed to relate the
symptoms observed with the element's function or role in plants. The information collected was then
gathered and summarized presented in Table 4.1, together with the images to visualize the deficiency
symptoms of each nutrient.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Essentials Deficiency Roles in Plant Picture of deficiency symptom
Elements Symptom
Deficiency Will cause:
of:
Nitrogen yellowing regulates plant growth
leaves and development
stunted major component of
growth chlorophyll
delayed key component of
flowering and amino acids
fruiting facilitates nutrient and
thin stems water absorption into
general the plant
yellowing contributes to the
overall health of the
soil ecosystem https://agriculturistmusa.com.//06baB1e.
phosphorus reduced helps regulate
growth the balance of
plant takes sugars and
longer to starches
mature enhances plant ability
reduced to withstand
flowering and environmental stresses
fruit set . helps in the
poor root formation of fruits and
development flowers
leaf curling or promotes healthy root
distortion growth
helps regulate plant
growth and https://envirevoagritech.com/7Vbl21/
development
potassium scorching of regulates the
leaf edges closing and
weak stems opening of
poor fruit stomata
and flower facilitates the
development movement of
leaf curling nutrients and
or wrinkling water helps in
delayed nutrient
maturity transport
promotes
healthy root
growth
improves
plant's
resistance to https://www.mississippi.crops.com/2015
pests and
diseases
calcium tip burn helps in cell
blossom end wall structure
rots plays a vital
death of role in the
tissue in formation of
young new cells
leaves contributes to
stunted the stability of
growth cell
deformed membranes https://www.masterclass.com/articles/4bv.
leaves promotes
healthy root
growth
strengthens
plant tissues
magnesium interveinal helps in
chlorosis chlorophyll
curling of production
leaves helps regulate
poor photosynthesis
development necessary for
of fruits the synthesis
delayed of DNA and
flowering RNA
and fruiting enhances the
necrosis plant's ability
occurs to tolerate
environmental
stresses https://www.reddit.com/r/gardening/Bl12.
helps in fruit
and seed
development
sulfur narrowing plays a role in energy
of leaves transfer
. curling of . helps in plants’
leaves proper growth and
. delayed development
maturity contributes to the
. poor plant's ability to
development tolerate
of fruit and environmental
https://www.farmprogress.com/corn/
seed stresses
. nutrient involved in the
imbalances formation of certain
structural
components of plants
helps regulate the
uptake and transport
of other nutrients
Based on the table shown and the image provided, nitrogen deficiency in plants is a critical issue that
significantly impacts growth and productivity. It is characterized by symptoms such as chlorosis or
yellowing of leaves, particularly starting with older foliage, stunted growth, and poor development of
flowers and fruits. This deficiency arises from various factors, including soil depletion due to continuous
cropping, poor soil quality, imbalanced pH levels, and environmental conditions like drought. The effects
of nitrogen deficiency extend beyond visual symptoms, leading to reduced photosynthesis, lower crop
yields, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.
Phosphorus deficiency in plants is a critical nutritional issue that can severely hinder growth and
development, based on the table shown and visualized above. Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency
include stunted growth, dark green or purplish coloration of older leaves, and poor root development.
This nutrient is vital for key processes such as energy transfer, photosynthesis, and the synthesis of
nucleic acids, which are essential for cell division and growth. Phosphorus deficiency often arises from
low soil phosphorus levels, poor soil structure, or imbalanced pH, which can limit phosphorus availability
to plants.
From the given table and visual above, potassium deficiency in plants is a significant nutritional disorder
that adversely affects their growth and overall health. Symptoms of potassium deficiency include
yellowing of leaf margins, curling or wilting of leaves, and increased susceptibility to diseases and pests.
This deficiency often results in stunted growth, poor fruit and flower development, and reduced crop
yields. Potassium is essential for various physiological processes, including photosynthesis, enzyme
activation, and water regulation within the plant. Factors contributing to potassium deficiency include
leaching in sandy soils, inadequate fertilization, and imbalanced soil pH.
In this table, the calcium deficiency in plants is a significant nutritional problem that can adversely affect
growth and development. Symptoms of calcium deficiency include blossom end rot in fruits like tomatoes
and peppers, tip burn in lettuce, and overall stunted growth. Calcium is crucial for maintaining cell wall
structure, facilitating cell division, and ensuring proper root and shoot development. This deficiency often
arises from low calcium levels in the soil, poor soil structure, or imbalanced pH, which can hinder
calcium availability to plants. Additionally, high levels of potassium or magnesium can interfere with
calcium uptake.
From the table provided above, symptoms of magnesium deficiency typically manifest as interveinal
chlorosis, where the areas between the leaf veins turn yellow while the veins themselves remain green,
primarily affecting older leaves first due to magnesium's mobility within the plant. Other symptoms may
include leaf curling, necrosis, and poor fruit development. Factors contributing to magnesium deficiency
include low soil magnesium levels, high soil pH, excessive potassium or calcium levels that can inhibit
magnesium uptake and leaching in sandy soils.
In sulfur, deficiency in plants is an important nutritional concern that can lead to various growth and
developmental issues, according to the table and results shown. Symptoms of sulfur deficiency often
manifest as yellowing of younger leaves, stunted growth, and reduced chlorophyll production, which can
resemble nitrogen deficiency but typically affect younger foliage first. Sulfur is essential for the synthesis
of amino acids, proteins, and certain vitamins, as well as for the formation of chlorophyll. This deficiency
can occur due to low sulfur levels in the soil, particularly in sandy or acidic soils, as well as from
excessive leaching or inadequate fertilization practices.
In situations in which a nutrient is not present in sufficient amounts to support its functional roles, it will
lead to a state of deficiency, with specific responses characteristic for each nutrient (van
Maarschalkerweerd & Husted, 2015).
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
In conclusion, essential elements are vital for plant growth, development, and overall well-being. These
elements, which encompass macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium,
and sulfur, play a crucial role in multiple physiological and biochemical functions, as macronutrients are
mainly involved in structural support, energy transfer, and the synthesis of essential compounds.
The presence and equilibrium of these vital elements have a direct impact on plant productivity, nutrient
quality, and resilience against environmental stressors. Deficiencies or imbalances can result in various
physiological issues, stunted growth, and decreased crop yields. Thus, comprehending the significance of
essential elements in plant nutrition is key to optimizing farming practices and ensuring food security.
Recommendation
Regular soil testing is an important factor to consider, especially in agricultural production, as this
practice aids in identifying deficiencies and preventing over-fertilization, which can cause nutrient runoff
and harm the environment. Encouraging crop rotation and intercropping techniques may also improve soil
health and nutrient accessibility, as different crops have distinct nutrient needs and can help restore
essential elements in the soil, minimizing the risk of nutrient depletion. Additionally, cultivating legumes
is recommended as they assist in fixing atmospheric nitrogen and enhancing soil nitrogen levels, which
benefits subsequent crops.
DOCUMENTATION
REFERENCES
de Bang, T. C. et al. (2020). The molecular–physiological functions of mineral macronutrients and their
consequences for deficiency symptoms in plants. New Phytologist.
Kumar, S. et al. (2021). Interaction Between Macro‐ and Micro-Nutrients in Plants. Plant Nutrition.
