Introduction

Introduction
    The living plant is constituted of various organic compounds, which in turn are made up of several inorganic elements. The organic compounds to which the plant can be resolved at the first disintegration are called proximate constituents. The inorganic elements to which the plant can be finally decomposed are called ultimate components.
    Proximate constituents are as follows:
    1. Water : 80-95 %
    2. Carbohydrates:
    a. Sugars and starches
    b. Hemicelluloses
    c. Celluloses     		: 1-5 %
    10-30 %
    20-30%
    3. Proteins : 1-15 %
    4. Lipids : 1-8 %
    5. Plant pigments, alkaloids, tannins and essential oils : 1-8 %
    6. Plant growth substances (enzymes, vitamins and hormones) : Small amounts
    7. Mineral elements : 2 – 5 %

    Ultimate components are: the inorganic elements which make up the plant body Viz. C, H, O, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo and Cl.

Last modified: Thursday, 10 May 2012, 6:39 AM