Plant Nutrition Uptake of Nutrients l Macro nutrients

Plant Nutrition

Uptake of Nutrients

l Macro nutrients l l l l Carbon - organic compounds Oxygen - organic compounds Hydrogen - organic compounds Nitrogen - nucleic acids, proteins Sulfur - proteins Phosphorus- nucleic acids, lipids Potassium - Protein Synthesis water balance Calcium - cell walls, membranes, permeability Magnesium - chlorophyll, enzymes

l Micro nutrients l l l l Chlorine - water balance, photosynthesis Iron - cytochromes Boron - chlorophyll synthesis Manganese - amino acids photosynthesis Zinc - Chlorophyll synthesis Copper - enzymes for redox rxns Molybdenum - nitrogen fixation Nickel - Cofactor in nitrogen metabolism

Soil l Develops from weathered rocks l l l Anchors plants Provides water Provides dissolved minerals

Soil Texture l Pertains to sizes of soil particles l includes the following: l l l sands (0. 02 - 2 mm) silt (0. 002 - 0. 02 mm) clay (less than 0. 002 mm)

Soil Composition l l Made up of sand, silt, clay, rocks, humus, microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae, protists, insects, worms, roots) Soil contains a mixture of different sized particles l loam - (40%, 20%) - fertile

The availability of soil water and minerals

The availability of soil water and minerals l l Plant takes up water not tied to hydrophilic soil particles Positively charged ions attach to soil and negatively charged ions are lost Hydrogen ions help displace minerals attached to soil Roots add hydrogen ions to the soil through the release of carbon dioxide (reacts with water to form carbonic acid)

The availability of soil water and minerals

Soil Conservation l Fertilizers l l l (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) Irrigation Erosion

Nitrogen Fixation

Nitrogen Fixation l l Plants absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrate Nitrogen-fixing and ammonifying bacteria produce ammonium Ammonium is shifted to nitrate by nitrifying bacteria Plants shift nitrate back to ammonium for use

Nutritional Adaptations l Root nodules (legumes)

Root Nodule l l Roots emit chemical that attract bacteria that stimulates root hair growth Bacteria penetrates the root cortex Growth continues and includes pericycle which forms a nodule Growth continues to include vascular tissue

Nutritional Adaptations l Mycorrhizae (mutulalistic) l l ectomycorrhizae (surface sheath) endomycorrhizae (no sheath)

Nutritional Adaptations l Parasitic plants l haustoria l l l Epiphytes l l mistletoe dodder bromelids / orchids Carnivorous plants l obtain nitrogen minerals from animals