Cycling of Micronutrients in Terrestrial Ecosystems

Abstract

Plants require eight micronutrients for normal growth and development: Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo, Ni and Cl. Through their involvement in various enzymes and other physiologically active molecules, micronutrients are important for gene expression; biosynthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, growth substances, chlorophyll and secondary metabolites; metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids; stress tolerance, etc. Micronutrients are also involved in structural and functional integrity of membranes and other cellular components (Rengel 2003).