Nitrogen is an essential constituent of proteins, nucleic acids, chlorophyll (green pigments essential for photosynthesis).
Nitrogen is a very dynamic element and required by all parts of a plant, mainly the meristematic tissues and the metabolically active cells. Nitrogen is present in the atmosphere as an inert substance. It is brought to the soil and converted to soluble nitrates either by asymbiotic or symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Nitrogen helps the plant with rapid growth, besides increasing seed and fruit production. It also improving the quality of leaf.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS OF NITROGEN IN PLANTS:
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Nitrogen Deficiency appears first on older growth.
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It results in stunted growth with spindly stalks
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Relatively uniform loss of color in leaves is observed, as lower leaves fails to produce sufficient chlorophyll (Chlorosis) and yellowing progress causing the leaf to die and drop off; change in the pigmentation pattern
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The rest of the plant is often appears to be light green.
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It reduces lateral breaks
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Also reduction in flowering, fruit size and protein contents is noted.
