5-Basic Needs of Plants

8/3/2019 5-Basic Needs of Plants

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Water, Air, Sunlight,Water, Air, Sunlight,

Media, Nutrients andMedia, Nutrients and

FertilizersFertilizers

BASIC NEEDSBASIC NEEDSOF PLANTSOF PLANTS


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Why is growing mediaWhy is growing media

important?important?

Growing medium- material where plantsGrowing medium- material where plants

growgrow

MediaMedia

Provides nutrients by absorption through rootsProvides nutrients by absorption through roots

Anchors plantsAnchors plants Contains pore spaces which provide oxygen forContains pore spaces which provide oxygen for

rootsroots

Provides favorable environment forProvides favorable environment for

microorganismsmicroorganisms


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What are the different types ofWhat are the different types of

growing media?growing media?

SoilSoil

Thin layer of earths curst that providesThin layer of earths curst that providesfor growth of plantsfor growth of plants

Soilless mediumSoilless medium Contains no topsoilContains no topsoil

Usually made of:Usually made of:


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VermiculiteVermiculite

Heat treated micaHeat treated mica

Holds moistureHolds moisture


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PerlitePerlite

Volcanic materialVolcanic material

Provides drainageProvides drainage

and aerationand aeration


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Sterilized organic compoundsSterilized organic compounds

Loosen the mediumLoosen the medium Create larger air spaces between theCreate larger air spaces between the

particlesparticles

Include:Include:


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Peat MossPeat Moss


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Sphagnum MossSphagnum Moss


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Leaf MoldLeaf Mold


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BarkBark


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Hydroponics- growing plants in aHydroponics- growing plants in a

nutrient solution consisting of waternutrient solution consisting of waterand dissolved nutrient saltsand dissolved nutrient salts

AdvantagesAdvantages

Complete control of nutrient solutionComplete control of nutrient solution Greater yield per unit area through closerGreater yield per unit area through closer

spacing of plantsspacing of plants

Less spreading of rootsLess spreading of roots

Reduced need for control of weeds, disease,Reduced need for control of weeds, disease,and insects due to absence of soiland insects due to absence of soil


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Hydroponic systems are classifiedHydroponic systems are classified

according to substrate systemsaccording to substrate systems

Substrate systemsSubstrate systems Sand culture- plants grown in sterilized sandSand culture- plants grown in sterilized sand

with individual drip irrigationwith individual drip irrigation Gravel culture- involves irrigating plantsGravel culture- involves irrigating plants

grown in gravel for mechanical supportgrown in gravel for mechanical support

Bag culture- uses plastic bags that are filledBag culture- uses plastic bags that are filled

with substrate, such as rockwool, peatlite,with substrate, such as rockwool, peatlite,and sawdust. Drip irrigation used to supplyand sawdust. Drip irrigation used to supply

nutrient solutionnutrient solution


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Bare root systems:Bare root systems: Aeroponic systemAeroponic system

Involves plant roots suspended in air with aInvolves plant roots suspended in air with afine mist of oxygen-rich nutrient solutionfine mist of oxygen-rich nutrient solutionsprayed on them a regular intervalssprayed on them a regular intervals

Continuous flow systemContinuous flow system Involves using shallow pools with panelsInvolves using shallow pools with panelscontaining plants floating on the surfacecontaining plants floating on the surface

Nutrient film technique (NFT)Nutrient film technique (NFT) Involves using a recirculating, shallow streamInvolves using a recirculating, shallow stream

of nutrient solution that moves throughof nutrient solution that moves throughchannels in which the plants grow. The rootschannels in which the plants grow. The rootsare usually covered with a plastic sheetare usually covered with a plastic sheet


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What are the contents ofWhat are the contents of

soil?soil? Mineral matterMineral matter

Formed from inorganic sources, such as rocksFormed from inorganic sources, such as rocksand mineralsand minerals

Organic matterOrganic matter Decayed or partially decayed plant and animalDecayed or partially decayed plant and animal

matter; high in nutrientsmatter; high in nutrients

WaterWater

AirAir


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Kinds of mineral matterKinds of mineral matter

SandSand

Large particleLarge particle

Assists in drainage but may not hold enough moistureAssists in drainage but may not hold enough moisture

for plantsfor plants

SiltSilt

Medium-sized particleMedium-sized particle

Preferred mineral component in most situationsPreferred mineral component in most situations

ClayClay

Smallest particleSmallest particle

Holds water and keeps soil moistHolds water and keeps soil moist

May be too slow to dry and may be too compactMay be too slow to dry and may be too compact


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What is the structure ofWhat is the structure of

soil?soil? Soil textureSoil texture

Coarseness or fineness of soil particlesCoarseness or fineness of soil particles

Affect many properties of the soil and itsAffect many properties of the soil and its

usefulnessusefulness Medium-textured soil is most preferredMedium-textured soil is most preferred

Soil structureSoil structure Physical arrangement of soil particlesPhysical arrangement of soil particles

Contributes to aeration or theContributes to aeration or themovement of air into the soilmovement of air into the soil


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Soil profileSoil profile

Vertical cross-section of the soil at aVertical cross-section of the soil at a

particular locationparticular location

Makes visible the different layers of soilMakes visible the different layers of soil

referred to as horizonsreferred to as horizons A horizon- topsoil; humus, roots, organisms,A horizon- topsoil; humus, roots, organisms,

1010

B horizon- subsoil; fine particles, leachedB horizon- subsoil; fine particles, leached

materials, some roots, 30materials, some roots, 30

C horizon- parent material; weatheredC horizon- parent material; weathered

bedrock and some leached materials, 48bedrock and some leached materials, 48

R horizon- bedrock; underlying solid rockR horizon- bedrock; underlying solid rock


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What are the nutrients neededWhat are the nutrients needed

for plant growth?for plant growth?

MacronutrientsMacronutrients

MicronutrientsMicronutrients


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MacronutrientsMacronutrients

Primary- nutrients needed in largePrimary- nutrients needed in large

amountsamounts

N- nitrogenN- nitrogen

P- phosphorusP- phosphorus K- PotassiumK- Potassium

Secondary- nutrients needed in very smallSecondary- nutrients needed in very small

amountsamounts

Ca- calciumCa- calcium

Mg- MagnesiumMg- Magnesium

S- sulfurS- sulfur


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MicronutrientsMicronutrients

Nutrients needed in very small amountsNutrients needed in very small amounts B- boronB- boron Cu- copperCu- copper Cl- chlorineCl- chlorine Fe- ironFe- iron Mn- ManganeseMn- Manganese

Mo- MolybdenumMo- Molybdenum Zn- ZincZn- Zinc


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Soil testSoil test

Used to determine which nutrients areUsed to determine which nutrients arepresent in the soil and to what degreepresent in the soil and to what degree

Important to determine the availability ofImportant to determine the availability ofnutrientsnutrients

Shows you what nutrients are deficient andShows you what nutrients are deficient and

the kinds and amounts of fertilizer needed tothe kinds and amounts of fertilizer needed toreplenish the nutrientsreplenish the nutrients


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Primary NutrientsPrimary Nutrients

NitrogenNitrogen

Determines greenness color and density inDetermines greenness color and density in

plantplant

Needed for chlorophyll, which is needed forNeeded for chlorophyll, which is needed forphotosynthesisphotosynthesis

Improves plants ability to resist diseaseImproves plants ability to resist disease

and tolerate effects of heat, cold, andand tolerate effects of heat, cold, and

droughtdrought

Deficiency symptom: yellowing of leavesDeficiency symptom: yellowing of leaves

called chlorosiscalled chlorosis


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PhosphorusPhosphorus

Helps plants hold and transfer energy forHelps plants hold and transfer energy for

metabolismmetabolism Affects cell division, root development, andAffects cell division, root development, and

floweringflowering

Deficiency symptom: purple coloring ofDeficiency symptom: purple coloring of

leaves or stemsleaves or stems

PotassiumPotassium

Activates enzymesActivates enzymes Regulates opening and closing of stomataRegulates opening and closing of stomata

Regulates water uptake by root cellsRegulates water uptake by root cells


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What is pH?What is pH?

pH- measure of amount of alkalinity orpH- measure of amount of alkalinity or

acidity in soilacidity in soil

pH scalepH scale 1 to 141 to 14

1 is extremely acidic1 is extremely acidic

14 is extremely alkaline14 is extremely alkaline

7 is neutral7 is neutral

pH affects the availability of nutrients topH affects the availability of nutrients to

plantsplants


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How is pH modified?How is pH modified?

pH can be lowered or elevatedpH can be lowered or elevateddepending on present conditions ofdepending on present conditions ofthe soil and the pH requirements ofthe soil and the pH requirements of

the plant cropthe plant crop

To lower pH- add sulfurTo lower pH- add sulfur

To increase pH- add limestoneTo increase pH- add limestone

Most plants require a pH of 5.5 to 8.0Most plants require a pH of 5.5 to 8.0


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What is fertilization andWhat is fertilization and

fertilizer?fertilizer?

Fertilizer- any material used toFertilizer- any material used to

provide nutrients plants needprovide nutrients plants need

Fertilization- cultural practice ofFertilization- cultural practice of

adding plant nutrients to the soil oradding plant nutrients to the soil orother growing mediaother growing media


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FertilizersFertilizers

Complete fertilizers- those containing allComplete fertilizers- those containing allthree primary nutrients (N, P, K)three primary nutrients (N, P, K)

Incomplete fertilizers- lacks one or moreIncomplete fertilizers- lacks one or moreprimary nutrientsprimary nutrients

Active ingredient- total percentage ofActive ingredient- total percentage of

nutrients being appliednutrients being applied

Inert ingredient- carrier of filler ingredientInert ingredient- carrier of filler ingredient


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Fertilizer AnalysisFertilizer Analysis

The composition of active ingredientsThe composition of active ingredientsin a fertilizer formulationin a fertilizer formulation

A fertilizer with an analysis of 16-4-8A fertilizer with an analysis of 16-4-8has an analysis of:has an analysis of: 16% Nitrogen16% Nitrogen

4% Phosphate4% Phosphate 8% Potash8% Potash

72% Inert material72% Inert material


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FERTILIZER COMPUTATION

A. To calculate the nutrient/fertilizer material needed

Amount of nutrient needed = Weight of fertilizer material X %

Nutrient 100

Or

Weight of fertilizer material = Amount of nutrient needed X100

% nutrient


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Problem:

A fertilizer recommendation calls for the application of30 kg N per hectare. How much Ammonium sulfate (20-0-0) or Urea (45-0-0) would be needed?

Calculations:

Weight of Ammonium Sulfate = 30 X 10020

= 150 kg. of 20-0-0 per ha.

Weight of Urea (45-0-0) = 30 X 10045

= 66.7 kg. Urea per ha.


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What is the associationWhat is the association

between soils and nutrients?between soils and nutrients? LeachingLeaching

Downward pulling of nutrients through the soilDownward pulling of nutrients through the soil

by percolating waterby percolating water

Available nitrogenAvailable nitrogen

Affected by pH and amount and form ofAffected by pH and amount and form of

nitrogen presentnitrogen present

N is lost by leaching, removal of plat material,N is lost by leaching, removal of plat material,gaseous loss by volatilization of ammonia, andgaseous loss by volatilization of ammonia, and

denitrificationdenitrification


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Available phosphorusAvailable phosphorus Affected by pH and generally immobile in soilAffected by pH and generally immobile in soil

May be tied up in insoluble formsMay be tied up in insoluble forms

Available potassiumAvailable potassium

Affected by pH and is readily soluble in waterAffected by pH and is readily soluble in water

Leaching losses can be high in sandy soilsLeaching losses can be high in sandy soils


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How is fertilizer used?How is fertilizer used?

Apply fertilizer so that you dont waste itApply fertilizer so that you dont waste it

Apply fertilizer when the plants can best use theApply fertilizer when the plants can best use the

nutrientsnutrients

Apply small amounts of fertilizer frequentlyApply small amounts of fertilizer frequently

Be careful not to over fertilizeBe careful not to over fertilize


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Forms of FertilizerForms of Fertilizer

LiquidLiquid Apply with aApply with a

sprayersprayer


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GranularGranular

Apply with aApply with aspreaderspreader


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FertigationFertigation

Application ofApplication offertilizers throughfertilizers through

an irrigation systeman irrigation system


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Key QuestionsKey Questions

What are the different types of growingWhat are the different types of growing

media?media?

What are the contents and structure of soil?What are the contents and structure of soil?

What nutrients are needed for plant growth?What nutrients are needed for plant growth? What is pH and how is it modified?What is pH and how is it modified?

What is fertilization and fertilizer?What is fertilization and fertilizer?

What is the association between soils andWhat is the association between soils and

nutrients?nutrients?

How do you use fertilizer?How do you use fertilizer?

Documents

5-Basic Needs of Plants