Chapter 4: Mineral Nutrition Flashcards
what are mineral nutrients? Why do plants need them?
elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the form of inorganic ions
- composition an physiological processes
biosphere
the parts of the surface and atmosphere of earth that support life as well as the organisms living there
mineral nutrition
the study of how plants obtain and use mineral nutrients
Over half the energy used in agriculture is expended on the production, distribution, and application of nitrogen fertilizers
what happens to fertilizers when applied to crop plants?
Crop plants typically use less than half of the fertilizer applied to the soils around them
The remaining materials leach into surface water or groundwater and contribute to air pollution and climate change
Many water wells now exceed nitrate concentrations
atmospheric nitrogen deficiencies
enhanced nitrogen availability released into the environment from human activities and deposited in the soil by rainwater
essential element
one that is an intrinsic component in the structure of metabolism of a plant or whose absence causes severe abnormalities in plant growth, development, or reproduction and may prevent a plant from completing its life cycle
- Essential elements function in plant structure, metabolism, and cellular osmoregulation
- concentrations are dependent on species, tissues, and growing conditions
why aren’t hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen not considered mineral nutrients?
because they are obtained from water or CO2
macronutrients
nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sulfur, and silicon
micronutrients
chlorine, iron, boron, manganese, sodium, zinc, copper, nickel, and molybdenum
group 1 of essential elements
Nitrogen and sulfur constitute the first group of essential elements. Plants assimilate these nutrients via biochemical reactions involving oxidation and reduction to form covalent bonds with carbon and create organic compounds (e.g., amino acids, nucleic acids, and proteins).
group 2 of essential elements
The second group is important in energy storage reactions or in maintaining structural integrity. Elements in this group are often present with the elemental group is covalently bound to an organic molecule
- phosphorous, silicon, boron
group 3 of essential elements
The third group is present in plant tissue as either free ions dissolved in the plant water or ions electrostatically bound to substances such as the pectic acids present in the plant cell wall. Elements in this group have important roles as enzyme cofactors, in regulating osmotic potentials, and in controlling membrane permeability.
- potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine, zinc, sodium
group 4 of essential elements
The fourth group, comprising metals such as iron, has important roles in reactions involving electron transfer.
- iron, manganese, copper, nickel, molybdenum
what is the purpose of a nutrient solution?
A solution containing only inorganic salts that supports the growth of plants in sunlight without soil or organic matter.
This technique is called a solution culture or hydroponics - A technique for growing plants with their roots immersed in nutrient solution without soil. Also called hydroponics.
Used in the production of greenhouse and indoor crops like tomato, cucumber, and hemp
aeroponics
plants are grown with their roots suspended in air while being sprayed continuously with a nutrient solution
Easy manipulation of gaseous environment
ebb-and-flow system
the nutrient solution periodically rises to immerse plant roots and then recedes, exposing the roots to a moist atmosphere
what is a modified Hoagland solution?
contains all known mineral elements needed for rapid plant growth. The concentrations of these elements are set at the highest possible concentrations without pro ducing toxicity symptoms or salinity stress, and thus may be several orders of magnitude higher than those found in the soil around plant roots
Grow in the medium without having to replenish it but can injure young plants although some researchers will replenish frequently at less concentrations to avoid this
Has both nitrate and ammonium which helps the plant grow better
what is a major problem with nutrient solutions?
A major problem with nutrient solutions is maintaining the availability of iron
Iron can precipitate out
Chelators are added to form soluble complexes with cations so then it is available to plants
A carbon compound (e.g., malic acid or citric acid) that can form a soluble non covalent complex with certain cations, thereby facilitating their uptake.
why is diagnosing deficiencies in essential elements complicated?
Deficiencies of several elements may occur simultaneously in different plant tissues.
Deficiencies or excessive amounts of one element may induce deficiencies or excessive accumulations of another element.
Some virus-induced plant diseases may produce syn1pton1s similar to those of nutrient deficiencies.
what general statements about deficiencies can be made?
Deficiency symptoms tend to appear first in older leaves
Deficiency of immorbile essential elements become evident first in younger leaves
mobile elements
nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, zinc, and molybdenum
immobile elements
calcium, sulfur, iron, boron, and copper