Mineral Nutrition

Enzyme nitrogenase plays a key role in N, fixations and remains active only during anaerobic condition. It is made up of two protein subunits :

i) non-heme iron protein or Fe-protein or dinitrogen reductase.

ii) Iron molybdenum protein or Mo-Fe protein or dinitrogenase

Sodium and Iodine  are not required by most of the plants.

Sodium (Na) is required by very limited plants as it helps to concentrate carbon- dioxide, but mostly plants use a trace amount to produce metabolism.

Ca is essential macronutrient for plant growth. It is constituent of middle lamella, activator of enzymes, connected with chromosome formation and many aspects of metabolism

Lathyrism is a neurological disease causd by khesari dal (Lathyrus odoratus). It carries an ODAP, also known as β-N-oxalyl-amino-L-alanine, or BOAA which is a neurotoxin (glutamate analogue).

Molybdenum is a component of nitrogenase and thus brings about fixation of gaseous nitrogen. It also act as enzyme activator of nitrate reductase.

Sulphur is constituent of certain amino acids. The amino acids form the protein by polymerisation. The pulses are rich in protein.

Azotobacter, Beijerinkia are non photosynthetic, non symbiotic and aerobic nitrogen fixing bacteria.

Clostridium is free living, anaerobic nitrogen fixing bacteria.

The insectivorous plants grow in nitrogen deficient soil and their nitrogen requirement is fulfilled by capturing and digesting the insects.

Anaemia refers to any condition in which there is an abnormally low haemoglobin concentration and/or blood cell count. The most common cause is deficiency of iron which is an essential element of haemoglobin molecule.
Thus, the iron compounds in the diet will help to alleviate the symptoms of anaemia.
Thiamine (vitamin B₁), deficiency causes beri-beri.
Riboflavin (vitamin B₂) deficiency causes cheilosis and skin diseases.

Hydroponics refers to soil-less cultures of plants and growing them on mineral solution