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

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.19645
• Publication Date: 2024-03-04T04:34:03Z
• Authors: Grmay Hailu Lilay; Noémie Thiébaut; Dorine du Mee; Ana G. L. Assunção; Jan Kofod Schjoer...; Søren Husted; Daniel Pergament ...
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; functional properties; 0303 health sciences; trace elements; Plants; deficiency response; leaf symptoms; Plant Breeding; Soil; cofactors; Micronutrients; physiological roles; deficiency symptoms

SummaryIn 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.