Differential responses of Fe, Zn, B, Cu and Mg on growth and quality attributes of fruit crops

Abstract

Micronutrients are essentially as important as macronutrients to have better growth, yield and quality in plants. There requirement by plants is in trace amounts. Boron, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium and molybdenum constitute main micronutrients required by different fruit crops in variable quantities. The requirement of micronutrients is partly met from the soil or through chemical fertilizer or through other sources. Various physical and metabolic functions are governed by these mineral nutrients. Boron is particularly essential in pollen germination, copper plays major role in photosynthesis and increases sugar content in fruits, chlorophyll synthesis and phosphorus availability is enhanced by manganese, iron acts as an oxygen carrier and promotes chlorophyll formation, while, zinc aids plant growth hormones and enzyme system. The significance of micronutrients in growth as well as fruit quality of various fruit crops is briefed here attributes wise.