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Plant Nutrition. Macronutrients. Plants require these nutrients in relatively large amounts C, O, H, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S. Micronutrients. Plants require in very small amounts Cl, Fe, Mn, Bo, Zi, Ni, Mb primarily cofactors for enzyme function. Nutrient deficiencies.
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Macronutrients • Plants require these nutrients in relatively large amounts • C, O, H, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S
Micronutrients • Plants require in very small amounts • Cl, Fe, Mn, Bo, Zi, Ni, Mb • primarily cofactors for enzyme function
Nutrient deficiencies • Lack of essential nutrients • exhibit specific symptoms • dependent on function of nutrient • dependent on solubility of nutrient
Take 2 fertilizer pellets& call me in the morning Magnesium deficiency • Symptoms • chlorosis = yellowing of leaves • Why? What is magnesium’s function?
Chlorophyll Why does magnesium deficiency cause chlorosis? The chlorosis shows up in older leaves first, because plant moves Mg+ to newer leaves. Why?
Importance of organic matter So don’t rakeyour lawn or bag your leaves • Topsoil • most important to plant growth • rich in organic matter • humus • decomposing organic material • breakdown of dead organisms, feces, fallen leaves & other organic refuse by bacteria & fungi • improves soil texture • reservoir of minerals • organisms • 1 tsp. of topsoil has ~5 billion bacteria living with fungi, algae, protists, insects, earthworms, nematodes
Fertilizers • “Organic” fertilizers • manure, compost, fishmeal • “Chemical” fertilizers • commercially manufactured • N-P-K (ex. 15-10-5) • 15% nitrogen • 10% phosphorus • 5% potassium What are thepolitical, economic,environmentalissues?
Nitrogen uptake • Nitrates • plants can only take up nitrate (NO3-) • Nitrogen cycle by bacteria • trace path of nitrogen fixation! root What will the plant use N for?
Soybean root nodules • N fixation by Rhizobium bacteria • symbiotic relationship with bean family (legumes)
Mycorrhizae (“fungus roots”) • symbiotic associations between the roots of plant species & fungi • Fungus gets sugar from plant • Plant’s surface area for uptake of water, phosphate, and other minerals increased by mychorrhizae
Parasitic plants • tap into host plant vascular system for sugar and minerals Indian pipe Mistletoe
Carnivorous plants Obtain some N and minerals by killing and digesting other small animals Sundew Venus fly trap Pitcher plant
Carnivorous Plants • Live in high acid environment (acid bogs) • Soils here are poor in nitrogen and other nutrients