key benefits of ensuring adequate supply of nitrogen
| mayo 27, 2019Nitrogen is one of the essential macronutrients for plant growth and development.it is so vital a nutrient for plant growth that it is consumed in large quantities. When it is lacking in plants, the plant development of the crop is affected which lead to significant loss of crop yield and market value. Therefore, Nitrogen is a backbone of plants going by what it does in plants.
Nitrogen deficiency is probably the most common nutritional problem affecting plants worldwide because nitrogen from the atmosphere and the earth’s surface is not directly available to plants.
In this Article, we want to share with our readers some of the key benefits of ensuring adequate supply of nitrogen and some of the consequence of not doing so. We will further share the forms of Nitrogen usable by plants, their sources and key benefits.
The Importance of Nitrogen to plants
Nitrogen is so vital for a number of reasons, however some of the key benefits includes the following:
- It is a major component of all amino acids in plant structures which are building blocks of proteins, this means that it is important for the growth and development of plant tissue and cells.
- It is component of energy transfer compounds ATP (Adenosine triphosphate).ATP allows cells to use the energy released in the metabolism process
- It is a component of nucleic acid that forms DNA and RNA, the genetic materials that allows cells to reproduce and grow.
- It is a major component of chlorophyll that gives the plants their green color. Chlorophyll is essential for carbohydrate formation by photosynthesis process.
- It is a necessary component of several vitamins biotin, thiamine, niacin and riboflavin, this means that it is necessary for enzymatic reactions in plants since all plant enzymes are protein.
Deficiency symptoms:
Deficiency in plant is a state when certain nutrients are not available to plant in the required quantities. This condition leads to many changes in plant performance and appearance. Some of the major problems associated with Nitrogen deficiency include:
- Chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves due to decreased of chlorophyll content. Because Nitrogen is highly mobile within the plant, the yellowing shows first on older leaves
- Stunted and slow growth, and produces fewer tillers than normal
- Early maturity and reduced quantity and quality of yield
Effect of Excess Nitrogen
In as much as plants need nitrogen in a larger quantity, excess application of the nutrient could trigger a negative response in the plant that could significantly decrease crop performance. Some of the notable consequences are:
- Plants will have dark green overly vigorous foliage that may lead to lodging
- Flower and fruit set abortion.
- Increased sensitivity to low temperature.
- Extremely high levels of nitrogen may actually result in decreased yield.
Forms of Nitrogen usable by plant
- Inorganic Nitrogen:
Inorganic Nitrogen are taken up by plant roots as nitrate (No3–), ammonium (NH4+), some crops have a definite preference for nitrate. Inorganic Nitrogen could be found in many chemical fertilizers.
Advantage of using inorganic nitrogen:
- works immediately
- Convenient to use
- Precise Content
Disadvantage of using inorganic nitrogen:
- Accumulation of toxic wastes
- Nitrogen is one of the elements that easily get washed away, this called leaching.
- Organic Nitrogen:
The plants are take up Organic nitrogen from mineralization of organic matter and nitrogen released as plant residues are broken down in the soil. Animal waste is a good source of natural nitrogen as well.
Advantages of using organic Nitrogen:
- Boost plant health naturally
- Balances the soil ecosystem
- Delivers nitrogen In a slow, but sustainable rate
- Sustainable and environmentally friendly
- Increases the thickness of plant cell wall
Disadvantages of using organic nitrogen:
- Nutrient level is low
- It often takes longer to help your plants grow
In sharing with you how nitrogen is so important a nutrient for plant growth and development, what the deficiency symptoms are, the effects of excess nitrogen on the plant development, and the available sources of nitrogen together with the advantage and disadvantage of each source, it is our desire that you get the best out your crop and always remember that Cropper Agra is committed to growing together with you.
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