Plant diseases and balanced diet

Question 1

How might someone identify a plant disease?

Answer 1

• Looking in gardening manuals or websites.
• Taking infected plants to a lab for identification.
• Use of kits that contain monoclonal antibodies that will react with a particular protein.

Question 2

What are some signs of disease in plants?

Answer 2

• Presence of pests - such as aphids.
• Abnormal growths on plant.
• Areas of rot.
• Spots on leaves.
• Stunted growth.
• Deformed stems or leaves.
• Discolouration.

Question 3

Why do plants need nitrate ions?

Answer 3

Nitrate ions make amino acids to form proteins for growth.

Question 4

What happens if a plant has a nitrate ion deficiency?

Answer 4

Not enough nitrate ions means stunted growth.

Question 5

What can you do if a plant has stunted growth?

Answer 5

Add nitrate or magnesium ions to the soil through fertiliser.

Question 6

Why do plants need magnesium ions?

Answer 6

Magnesium ions make chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is needed to absorb sunlight so the plant can photosynthesise.

Question 7

How can you tell that a plant has a magnesium ion deficiency?

Answer 7

Stunted growth and yellow/unhealthy-looking leaves because there is not enough chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the green pigment in chloroplasts.

Question 8

How do plants get mineral ions?

Answer 8

ROCKS - the minerals in rocks are slowly dissolved by rainwater, which is slightly acidic. These minerals are washed into the soil.
NATURAL FERTILISER - animal faeces and the decay of dead plants and animals return minerals to the soil.
ARTIFICIAL FERTILISERS - these contain a ready-made mixture for the minerals needed by plants.