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Review
. 2024 May;242(3):881-902.
doi: 10.1111/nph.19645. Epub 2024 Mar 3.

Linking the key physiological functions of essential micronutrients to their deficiency symptoms in plants

Grmay Hailu Lilay #  1 , Noémie Thiébaut #  1   2 , Dorine du Mee  1 , Ana G L Assunção  3 , Jan Kofod Schjoerring  1 , Søren Husted  1 , Daniel Pergament Persson  1
Affiliations
Free article
Review

Linking the key physiological functions of essential micronutrients to their deficiency symptoms in plants

Grmay Hailu Lilay et al. New Phytol. 2024 May.
Free article

Abstract

In this review, we untangle the physiological key functions of the essential micronutrients and link them to the deficiency responses in plants. Knowledge of these responses at the mechanistic level, and the resulting deficiency symptoms, have improved over the last decade and it appears timely to review recent insights for each of them. A proper understanding of the links between function and symptom is indispensable for an accurate and timely identification of nutritional disorders, thereby informing the design and development of sustainable fertilization strategies. Similarly, improved knowledge of the molecular and physiological functions of micronutrients will be important for breeding programmes aiming to develop new crop genotypes with improved nutrient-use efficiency and resilience in the face of changing soil and climate conditions.

Keywords: cofactors; deficiency response; deficiency symptoms; functional properties; leaf symptoms; physiological roles; trace elements.

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