Plant nutrients Flashcards
Why does a plant need Nitrogen (N) ?
Plants need it to form Chlorophyll
Provides rich, leafy growth.
What plants are fed (N) and why?
Cabbages and lawns.
fed to plants for their leafy growth
What are the symptoms of a Nitrogen deficiency?
Slow, spindly growth
Chlorosis-yellowing of leaves due to lack of chlorophyll.
Foliage can go “Bluish” in older leaves
Chlorophyll breaks down in older leaves first to give the younger leaves their Nitrogen
leaves smaller than normal
Under-developed fruit
older leaves can go red
What happens to a plant if their is too much Nitrogen?
A high salt concentration at the roots can be produced
This can easily be lost by leaching
Fine lawns or bowling greens become susceptible to attacks of Fusarium fungus
More vunerable to pest attack due to lush leafy growth
More likely to be damaged by cold as its soft growth
Why does a plant need Phosphorus (P)?
Needed for cell division respiration seedling growth ripening of fruit root development
Large amounts are packed into the seeds and meristems of roots and shoots
Essential at seedling stage
Why is Phosphorus essential to a plant at its seedling stage?
The growing root needs it so it can establish itself.
The roots need to be able to tap into the supplies in the soil before all the reserves in the seed are used up.
What are the implications of too much Phosphorus?
Can affect the development of MYCORRHIZA
What is mycorrhiza?
the association between plant roots and fungus, they take the place of root hairs in many plants and lichens
What are the effects of a Phosphorous deficiency?
Poor root development
There will be reduced growth of the stem and root
There can be bluish/purple stem colourings with/without speckling.
How do you remedy a Nitrogen deficiency?
Ammonium sulphate Nitrochalk-mx of ammonium and limestone Nitrate of soda Fish meal FYM Hoof and horn meal
Why would you use Fish meal for a (N) deficiency?
It is organic
quick acting
gives a steady supply over many weeks
What are the 6 plant macronutrients?
major elements
Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) Sulphur (S)
What are the eight micronutrients?
Trace elements
Copper (Cu) Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Boron (B) Zinc (Zn) Nickel (Ni) Chlorine (Cl) molybdenum (Mo)
Whats the difference between Macro and Micro nutrients?
The difference is the AMOUNT needed for maintaining good healthy plant growth
Where are the plant nutrients obtained from and what do they do?
Obtained from soil or growing compost.
They are diluted in the soil solution and transported to sites in the plant structure where they are needed
