Topic 2 Element 2 - Plant nutrition

Question 1

What are the Major/Macro nutrients?

Answer 1

• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Potassium (K)
• Magnesium (Mg)
• Calcium (Ca)
• Sulfur (S)

Question 2

What are considered to be Macro nutrients, though not necessarily nutrients?

Answer 2

Carbon (C)
Hydrogen (H)
Oxygen (O)

Question 3

What are the Micro nutrients?

Answer 3

• Manganese (Mn)
• Iron (Fe)
• Boron (B)
• Molybdenum (Mo)

Question 4

What is Carbon (C) used for and what are the signs when a plant is deficient?

Answer 4

• Carbon (C) is from the air and is combined with Hydrogen (H) to form glucose.
• forms woody structures within the plant
• veins turn white if deficient

Question 5

What is Hydrogen (H) used for and what are the signs when a plant is deficient?

Answer 5

• Hydrogen (H) is from water and is combined with Carbon (C) to form glucose
• Wilting will show lack of access to water

Question 6

What is Oxygen (O) used for and what are the signs when a plant is deficient?

Answer 6

• Oxygen (O) is needed in the soil for root respiration
• Oxygen (O) is needed in the air for tissue to respire
• Oxygen (O) deficiency will cause stunted, yellow or blue plants

Question 7

What is a Macro nutrient?

Answer 7

Meaning large amounts are needed by plants.

Question 8

What is Nitrogen (N)?

Answer 8

• used in chlorophyll production so needed for leafy growth
• Nitrogen is mobile, so can be drawn out of older leaves to feed newer leaves if supply is short
• Deficiency is found in older leaves, with yellowing and slow growth
• too much Nitrogen (N) produces soft growth vunerable to aphid and frost
• Good to be used in the initial growth phases
• good to feed lawns with in spring and summer

Question 9

What is Phosphorus (P)?

Answer 9

• Needed for energy transfer
• Mobile and concentrated in the root and shoot tips
• Deficiency causes poor root development. Leading to weak shoots and blue/purple discolouration
• good to feed lawns with in autumn

Question 10

What is Potassium (K)?

Answer 10

• regulates osmosis, inclouding in the stomata and is needed for flowering and fruiting
• helps with cold hardening and secondary thickening
• Is Mobile
• Deficiency causes browning and scorch-effect on leaves and poor flowering/fruit
• is good to be added regularly to encourage flowering and fruiting along with Calcium (Ca)
• good to feed lawns with in autumn

Question 11

What is Magnesium (Mg)?

Answer 11

• Major constituent of chlorophyll
• Is Mobile
• Deficiency shows as inter-veinal chlorosis: yellowing between the veins

Question 12

What is Calcium (Ca)?

Answer 12

• constitutes cell walls
• Is immobile
• Deficiency shows on new growth includes inwards curling pale young leaves and dying shoot tips
• Deficiency can cause topple of tulips and blossom end rot in tomatoes
• good to be added with Potassium (K)

Question 13

What is Sulfur (S)?

Answer 13

used in the production of enzymes and chlorophyll
is immobile
deficiency is yellow chlorosis on younger leaves (often whole leaf chlorosis)

Question 14

What is Manganese (Mn)?

Answer 14

• Used similar to Sulphur (S) for enzyme and chlorophyll production
• is immobile
• Deficiency symptoms match those of Sulphur (S) but are more inter-veinal

Question 15

What is Iron (Fe)?

Answer 15

• needed for the production of chlorophyll
• is immobile
• Deficiency shows on new growth and is a yellow chlorosis
• for sustainablility grow plants that need high levels of Iron (Fe) in acidic soil

Question 16

What is Boron (B)?

Answer 16

• is used for the movement of sugar and strengthening cell walls
• used in fertilisation
• it makes Calcium (Ca) available
• is mobile
• deficiency shows as distorted growth and hollowing of stems
• fruits may be effected - corky core in apples

Question 17

What is Molybdenum (Mo)?

Answer 17

• used for uptake of nitrogen and storage e.g. root nodules in legumes
• is mobile
• deficiency matches those of nitrogen
• lamina may also shrink producing whiptail in Brassicas and browing of the margin