THE BASIC NEEDS OF PLANTS

What is a Plant?
Immobile

Make own food

Plant parts Leaf Stem Roots

Plant Relationships
There are many plants in the world

There are many types of plants in the world The science of sorting and naming plants is called Taxonomy

Plant Physiology
What plants need: Light Air Water Nutrients

What Plants Need

Light Air Oxygen (O2) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Component of photosynthesis

Energy driving photosynthesis Photoperiod Phototropism

What Plants Need

Water Move water soluble nutrients Transport photosynthate Turgor pressure Component of photosynthesis Nutrients 16 essential nutrients Plant Food

Light at the Cellular Level

Photosynthesis
6H2O + 6CO2 + + = C6 H12 O6

+ 6O2 + ENERGY

Light Wavelengths and the Plants

Blue Light Wavelengths

Blue Light is involved in:

Photosynthesis Petiole length Internode length Leaf expansion Phototropic reactions

Red & Far Red Light Wavelengths

Red Light is involved in: Photosynthesis Seed germination, seedling growth Fruit ripening Tuber and bulb formation Photoperiodism

Far Red Light Regulates many development processes Photoperiodism

Photoperiodism
A response to the proportion of light and dark in a 24-hour period

Photoperiodism is very important in regulating flowering

Regulated by phytochrome pigment

Phototropism:
Plants Outdoors and Light
Too little sun can cause: Stretching (etiolation) and weak growth with long internodes Large thin leaves or small pale leaves. May have long petioles Loss of variegation Reduction or loss of bloom Pale color overall

Plants Outdoors and Light

Too much sun can cause: Burning Stunting

Scorched Plant

Water
Turgor pressure
Also known as osmotic pressure, is a large positive internal cell pressure caused by dissolved compounds in the cell sap exerting pressure on surrounding cells. Plants wilt when turgor pressure decreases. As long as the cells are alive, turgor pressure can be re-established (unless the permanent wilting point is reached). Plants need turgor pressure to remain erect and maintain the water column for transpiration.

Water Movement in the Plant:

Cohesion Tension Theory Polar water molecules stick together by hydrogen bonds; this is cohesion. Water sticks to walls of xylem; this is adhesion. Xylem provides the structure for a water column. Water evaporates from leaves via transpiration, creating a pull or tension on the water column. Tension in the xylem lowers the water potential, so the plant/tree can pull water in from the soil.

Stomates

Stomatal regulation
Stomates close due to:

Water stress High temperature High carbon dioxide (CO2) Darkness Transpiration rates increase when: A rise in temperature occurs (each 10 oC rise in temperature doubles the transpiration rate) Wind and low humidity increase water evaporation from leaf surfaces

Transpiration/Photosynthesis Compromise
Stomata open in day, close at night. Must let water out (from respiration and transpiration) and CO2 in (for photosynthesis), so a tradeoff between losing too much water & photosynthesis is made.

Water Availability in Soil

Waterlogged Soils
Without oxygen, roots die Roots can carry on anaerobic respiration for a short time Symptoms of injury you might see: Decreased shoot growth Chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves) Leaf epinasty (petiole elongation) Leaf abscission (shedding of the leaf or flower)

AIR
Oxygen is needed for:

Cell respiration Root growth and maintenance

Cell Respiration
C6 H12 O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + ENERGY
Respiration equation is essentially the opposite of photosynthesis. Instead of using the suns energy to make food, it uses the food and releases chemical energy

Airborne Pollutants
Plants can remove pollutants from air, but can also be damaged by them. A one acre Christmas tree farm can remove up to 1300 kg of airborne pollutants per year. Pollutants: Sulfates Sulfur dioxide Nitrates Ozone

Airborne Pollutants
Air pollution damage can cause:

Stunting Loss of leaves Damage to leaves (reduced sugar production) Reduced (or non-existent) fruit yield Repeated severe exposure can eventually cause death

Soil Structure and Nutrients in Soils

Soil Structure

Pore space is 50% of a typical soil Usually 5% of the soil is organic matter

Organic Matter in Soils

Typical composition of soil organic matter

Organic Matter in Soils (OM)

Soil OM acts as a bank for plant nutrients. Soil OM holds metal micronutrients in a soluble form, available for uptake. Soil OM is important in maintaining good soil structure and beneficial soil microorganisms. Soil OM acts as a buffer to pH changes.

Soil Particle Sizes

Particle sizes and surface area: Sand: Largest particle with smallest surface area. Doesnt hold water or nutrients well. Limited chemical properties. Silt: Smaller than sand. More surface area. Holds water & nutrients well. Good CEC. Clay: Smallest particle size. Has a strong affinity for water & nutrients. Has thousands of times more surface area than silt and millions more times than sand. Very good CEC.

Essential Nutrients
Macronutrients Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, calcium, sulfur Micronutrients Iron, magnesium, copper, boron, molybdenum, chlorine, zinc All together now! C HOPKNS CaFeMg Cl Mn C Hopkins Caf, Mighty Good (Closed Mondays)

Soil pH and Nutrient Solubility

Alkaline soils are considered to be above pH 7.0 Acid soils are below pH 5.5 Most garden plants prefer soils between pH 6.5 and pH 7.5

Some Common Garden Crops and pH

Alkaline Soil Crops Acid Soil Crops

Beans
Broccoli Carrots Cauliflowe Onions Squash

Beets
Cabbage Cucumbers Lettuce Spinach Tomatoes

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