Post on 02-Jun-2015
Plant Nutrients and Mutualisms
By: Kossivi Woluko, Andrew Gross
Macro Nutrients
Calcium- essential to the cell wall structure
Magnesium- essential for the process of photosynthesis
Sulfur- Improves root growth and seed production also helps resist the cold.
Nitrogen- Helps to make protein essential for chlorophyll and for rapid growth
Phosphorus- Helps Transform solar energy into chemical energy for plant such as chlorophyll.
Potassium- absorbed in large amount by plant to help build proteins
Micro Nutrients
Copper- aids in the chemical process of root metabolism
Iron- essential for formation of chlorophyll
Chloride- aids in entire plant metabolism
Boron- Essential to the development of plant seeds and fruits.
Molybdenum- essential for the process of the plant using nitrogen
Zinc- Regulates consumption of sugar molecules
Manganese- needed for enzymes for breakdown of carbohydrates
Soil
Most plants grow and develop by absorbing nutrients from the soil that their roots are imbedded in.
The nutrients are absorbed through the
roots of the plant and distributed
among the cells, vascular tissues
make the process of distributing
possible.
Structure It allows for depth and
width of roots to absorb nutrients.
Should be around a neutral pH level
Strategies for Obtaining Nutrients
Carnivory Obtain nutrients by trapping and digesting
invertebrates. Parasitism
Obtains nutrients from surrounding plants Root Mutualism
Sharing of nutrients through roots
Carnivory
The Venus Flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula) Tiny hair on leaves Digest for Nutrients
Parasitism
Mistletoe (Viscum album) Grows on tree
branches Takes nutrients from
the tree
Root Mutualism
Share Nutrients Mycorrhizal
relationship Fungus and Tree
Interesting Story
Nutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium are found in waste water. These Nutrients are lost in conventional waste water plants leading to a scarcity of fertilizer for plants. Many plants need these nutrients in the soil for growth and development. To overcome this problem The researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology are devising alternative methods for recovering the nutrients from the wastewater to use them for agriculture.
Resources Webber , Charles . "Indian Pipe." N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan 2011.
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/indian_pipe.htm.
ncagr, . "Plant Nutrition." Kids World. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan 2011. http://www.ncagr.gov/cyber/kidswrld/plant/nutrient.htm.
Campbell, 8th, Chapter 36 : Phylogeny and the Tree of Life
http://historicalhussies.blogspot.com/2010/12/mistletoe-plant-for-all-seasons.html
http://express.howstuffworks.com/exp-venus-flytrap.htm
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. "Plant nutrients from wastewater." ScienceDaily 7 September 2010. 27 January 2011 <http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2010/09/100907113141.htm>