plant nutrients
DESCRIPTION
Plant nutritionTRANSCRIPT
We will look at:We will look at:
Macro NutrientsMacro Nutrients
Micro NutrientsMicro Nutrients
pHpH
Physical RequirementsPhysical Requirements
NutrientsNutrients
Nutrients are chemicals plants need to growNutrients are chemicals plants need to grow
Macro Nutrients are ones needed in large Macro Nutrients are ones needed in large amountsamounts
Micro Nutrients are ones need in small Micro Nutrients are ones need in small amountsamounts
Macro NutrientsMacro Nutrients
Some come from the air or waterSome come from the air or water CarbonCarbon OxygenOxygen HydrogenHydrogen
These 3 are readily available to plantsThese 3 are readily available to plants
Macro NutrientsMacro Nutrients Some come from the earthSome come from the earth
Nitrogen (N)Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P)Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K)Potassium (K) Calcium (Ca)Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg)Magnesium (Mg) Sulfur (S)Sulfur (S)
N – NitrogenN – Nitrogen
Promotes soft, tender, Promotes soft, tender, green growthgreen growth
Too little causes Too little causes chlorosischlorosis (yellowing of (yellowing of leaves)leaves)
Too much causes weak, Too much causes weak, spindly, darker-than spindly, darker-than normal growthnormal growth
P - PhosphorusP - Phosphorus
Promotes root growth, flower and seed formationPromotes root growth, flower and seed formation
Too little causes poor growth, weak roots, and poor Too little causes poor growth, weak roots, and poor floweringflowering
Browning or purpling of leaves can be a sign of low Browning or purpling of leaves can be a sign of low PP
K - PotassiumK - Potassium Increases disease resistance, strengthens roots, and is Increases disease resistance, strengthens roots, and is
needed for chlorophyll, starch, and tuber developmentneeded for chlorophyll, starch, and tuber development
Too little causes reduced growth, especially between Too little causes reduced growth, especially between nodesnodes and and marginal burnmarginal burn (browning of leaf edges) (browning of leaf edges)
Too much causes N deficienciesToo much causes N deficiencies
Ca – CalciumCa – Calcium
Promotes bud growth and retards end rot of Promotes bud growth and retards end rot of many fruitsmany fruits
Often added as Lime to balance soil pHOften added as Lime to balance soil pH
Too much makes the soil to alkalineToo much makes the soil to alkaline
Mg - MagnesiumMg - Magnesium
Helps with seed productionHelps with seed production
Often lacking in foliage plantsOften lacking in foliage plants
Too little causes less growth, cupped leaves, Too little causes less growth, cupped leaves, fewer seeds, and marginal chlorosisfewer seeds, and marginal chlorosis
S - SulfurS - Sulfur
Often added to decrease pHOften added to decrease pH
Too little is extremely rare and causes the Too little is extremely rare and causes the whole plant to yellowwhole plant to yellow
Micro NutrientsMicro Nutrients
AKA AKA Trace ElementsTrace Elements Absorbed from the soilAbsorbed from the soil
Boron (B)Boron (B) Copper (Cu)Copper (Cu) Chlorine (Cl)Chlorine (Cl) Iron (Fe)Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn)Manganese (Mn) Molybdenum (Mo)Molybdenum (Mo) Zinc (Zn)Zinc (Zn)
pHpH
A scale from 0-14 that measures the A scale from 0-14 that measures the alkalinityalkalinity (high #) or (high #) or acidityacidity (low #) of a substance (low #) of a substance
If Soil pH is not right, plants can’t absorb the If Soil pH is not right, plants can’t absorb the right nutrientsright nutrients
Most plants prefer a 6.0-7.0 pH rangeMost plants prefer a 6.0-7.0 pH range
Physical RequirementsPhysical Requirements
TemperatureTemperature
LightLight
HumidityHumidity
Air FlowAir Flow
Temperature RangesTemperature Ranges
Optimum – range where a given plant grows Optimum – range where a given plant grows bestbest
Tolerant – range where a given plant can live, Tolerant – range where a given plant can live, but little or no growth occursbut little or no growth occurs
Temperatures outside the tolerant range can Temperatures outside the tolerant range can damage or destroy a plantdamage or destroy a plant
Some Like It HotSome Like It Hot
Cool Season PlantsCool Season Plants Like 60-80Like 60-80o o FF Most leaf and root vegetables, azaleas, rhododendronsMost leaf and root vegetables, azaleas, rhododendrons
Warm Season PlantsWarm Season Plants Like 75-90Like 75-90o o FF Melons, most grains, tomatoes, peppers, and most Melons, most grains, tomatoes, peppers, and most
summer annual bedding plantssummer annual bedding plants
The Future’s So Bright I Gotta The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear ShadesWear Shades
Some plants need full SunSome plants need full Sun Corn, RosesCorn, Roses
Some plants need partial Some plants need partial ShadeShade Radishes, DogwoodRadishes, Dogwood
HumidityHumidity
HumidityHumidity is a measure of moisture in the air is a measure of moisture in the air
Most plants need a relative humidity of 40-Most plants need a relative humidity of 40-80% to grow80% to grow
Humidity over 80% can lead to disease Humidity over 80% can lead to disease problemsproblems
Air FlowAir Flow Plants need access to moving air to aid in pollination Plants need access to moving air to aid in pollination
and to dry leave surfacesand to dry leave surfaces
Grasses are usually only pollinated by windGrasses are usually only pollinated by wind
Drying of leaves reduces mold and fungal problemsDrying of leaves reduces mold and fungal problems
Too much wind can be a problemToo much wind can be a problem