Nickel (Ni)
Role in plants
Nickel is essential for urease activity (nitrogen metabolism) and seed viability. Needs are extremely small.
Deficiency symptoms
- Rare
- Poor urea utilisation (where urea is present)
- Leaf tip necrosis in some species
- Reduced seed viability in severe cases
Toxicity symptoms
- Chlorosis and growth suppression
- Root damage at elevated levels
Natural sources
- Soil minerals (ultramafic rocks)
- Trace amounts in water and organic matter
Fertiliser sources
- Rarely applied directly
- Present as trace impurity in some fertilisers
Plant uptake forms