Plant nutritional deficiency and its impact on crop production

Abstract

Nutritional imbalances in plants influence their responses and defense mechanisms against abiotic stress, pests, and diseases, ultimately impacting crop production. Normal functioning and growth of the plant are affected due to insufficient availability of an essential nutrient(s). Plants have developed highly complex and specialized nutrient sensing and signaling systems to respond to varying nutrient availability in the soil. Interaction of nutritional status and complex signaling mechanisms play a crucial role in plant's tolerance against diseases and pests. The potential role of deficiency or excess nutrients in plant's defense against pest and diseases and nutrient sensing and signaling mechanisms in plants is discussed in this chapter. These insights will lead to the development of strategies for a long-term sustainable nutrient management and improved nutrient use efficiency.