Mineral nutrition

Question 1

What was the Broadbalk experiment in 1844? At a time when agriculture was changing to less labour intensive

Answer 1

• the experiment tested the effects of combinations of inorganic fertiliser and farmyard manure on the yield of wheat

Question 2

What did the experiment provide information about in relation to agricultural improvements? (4)

Answer 2

• reducing water contamination
• increasing fertilizer use efficiency
• facilitate environmental stewardship
• sustainable food production system,

Question 3

Name the 6/9 organic macronutrients

Answer 3

• carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorous

Question 4

name the 3 inorganic macronutrients

Answer 4

• potassium, calcium, magnesium

Question 5

Name the 7 micronutrients

Answer 5

• iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper, molybdenum and chloride

Question 6

What is the primary difference between micro and macronutrients?

Answer 6

macronutrients are required in large amounts

micronutrients are required in small amounts

Question 7

Why is acidity and alkalinity damaging to soils?

Answer 7

they affect availability of nutrients which then affects plants because they can become adapted to these soil phs

Question 8

What are the 2 differences between calicole and calcifuge plants?

Answer 8

> calcicole plants are unable to tolerate too much Al3+ or H+ whereas calcifuge species can
calcicole plants can access nutrients in high PH soils whereas calcifuge can’t

Question 9

Name the 4 sources of nutrients

Answer 9

• atmosphere
• weathering of rocks
• nutrients recycling
• application?

Question 10

What is the only source of nitrogen?

Answer 10

biological activity

Question 11

What is nitrogen fixation?

Answer 11

• chemical processes where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into organic compounds

Question 12

What re the 3 key stages in the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 12

nitrogen fixation
nitrification
dentrification

Question 13

How is nutrient deficiency minimised?

Answer 13

• growth of root hairs increase surface areas for absorption
• chemical modification
• mycorrhiza
• insectivore

Question 14

How does chemical modification minimise nutrient deficiency?

Answer 14

roots pump out protons so can manipulate local environment by acidifying and leaching the soil
and takes up these nutrients
dissolve the rock and receive nutrients from that

Question 15

Define mycorrhiza

Answer 15

a fungus which grows in association with teh roots of a plant in a symbiotic/pathogenic relationship