Plant Minerals Flashcards
What do plants need for healthy growth ?
Minerals
What are minerals ?
Elements and simple compounds found in the soil
Where do plants get the minerals they need ?
From the soil
Where do minerals originally come from ?
The decomposition of dead plants and animals
Where do minerals dissolve ?
In water found in soil
How is water absorbed ?
Through active transport into the root hair cells and transported around the plant in xylem tubes
What are the essential plant minerals ?
Nitrates
Phosphates
Potassium
Magnesium
What are nitrates ?
They contain nitrogen, they are also a source of nitrogen which is needed to make amino acids. Amino acids join to build proteins. Proteins are essential for growth and repair
What the description of phosphates ?
They contain phosphorus and they are healthy for roots
What is the description of potassium ?
Healthy for leaves and flowers
What is the description of magnesium ?
Used to make chlorophyll
What happens if a plant. Doesn’t get enough minerals ?
This will lead to diseases
What is the name of the disease when plants don’t get enough minerals ?
Mineral deficiency disease
What happens if there aren’t enough nitrates?
Poor or stunned growth and older leaves turn yellow
What happens when there isn’t enough magnesium ?
Plant leaves will turn yellow
What happens if there isn’t enough phosphorus ?
Poor root growth and younger leaves look purple
What happens if there isn’t enough potassium ?
Yellow leaves with reddish brown dead patches
What is fertilizer ?
A chemical that contains the elements and compounds needed by plants to grow well
What is an example of common fertilizer ?
NPK, it contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
Why do farmers add fertilizer ?
To replace missing minerals
What are the advantages of fertilizer ?
Stops mineral deficiency
Crops grow bigger and faster
More profit for the farmer
Why must fertilizer be water-soluble ?
So the plants can absorb them through their roots
What is leeching ?
Since fertilizers are water-soluble, when they are sprayed on crops they can be easily washed into waterways
