WHAT DO PLANTS NEED TO GROW?: June 2014

WHAT DO PLANTS NEED TO GROW?

A plant is a living thing, capable of producing its food by means of ‘photosynthesis’. Photosynthesis is a process which uses carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. Photosynthesis means "making things with light". By trapping light from the sun plants can utilise this energy and change it into useable chemical energy, and at the same time they produce a by-product of photosynthesis, which we can all benefit from - oxygen!

PHOTOSYNTHESIS - HOW IT WORKS :  

Sunlight is absorbed through the leaves of a plant via a process called ‘photosynthesis’. Water is absorbed by the plant's roots.  Good soil is also a vital element to plant growth - minerals that the plant can get nutrients from are dissolved into the water in the ground and are sucked up into the roots.   Air is absorbed through the plant's leaves. Plants take in carbon dioxide (harmful to living things) and give out in exchange oxygen (which we all need).  In addition to these elements, fertiliser and plant food can really boost a plant's growth and general health, along with sugars and lots of room to grow.

WHAT IS SOIL MADE OF?  

Sixteen chemical elements are important to plants, ensuring healthy growth and survival. These are divided into two main groups, as follows :

non-mineral nutrients and mineral nutrients 

NON-MINERAL NUTRIENTS -  

These are HYDROGEN (H), OXYGEN (O) and CARBON (C), found in water and air. During photosynthesis plants use energy from the sun to change carbon dioxide and water into starches and sugars which are used by the plant as food. 

In the process called photosynthesis (mentioned above), plants use the energy from the sun to change carbon dioxide (carbon and oxygen : C02) and water (hydrogen and oxygen : H20) into sugars and starches - the plant's food. As plants obtain hydrogen, carbon and oxygen from the air and water farmers and gardeners can do very little to control how much of these nutrients a plant can utilise.

MINERAL NUTRIENTS -

There are 13 mineral nutrients found in soil, or added via fertilisers, which are dissolved in water and absorbed through the roots of plants. These are divided into two groups : macronutrients and micronutrients.

Macronutrients can also be broken down into two groups on their own - primary and secondary nutrients.  The primary nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Plants use vast quantities of these major nutrients for healthy growth and survival. These nutrients are usually the first ones to be lacking from the soil because of this fact.

Nitrogen (N) is a constituent of all living cells, a necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy. It is a part of chlorophyl (the green pigment of the plant) responsible for the photosynthesis process. It also helps plants to gain rapid growth, increases seed and fruit production and aids in improving the quality of leaf and forage crops. Nitrogen often comes from fertilisers and the air.

Phosphorus (P) involves the formation of oils, sugars, starches and so forth, aiding the transformation of energy from the sun into chemical energy and, thereby, assisting in plant maturation and rapid growth (both of the plant itself and the roots). Phosphorus can be found in fertiliser, superphosphate and bone meal..

Potassium (K) is absorbed by plants in larger amounts than any other mineral element (with the exception of nitrogen and, in some instances, calcium). It is useful in building up protein, photosynthesis, disease control and quality of the fruit and is supplied to plants by naturally occurring soil minerals, organic materials, and fertiliser.

The secondary nutrients are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S). There are usually enough of these nutrients in the soil so fertilisation is not always necessary. When lime is added to acidic soils, large amounts of calcium and magnesium are also needed. The slow decomposition of organic matter, such as grass cuttings and leaves are an excellent source of sulphur. 

Calcium (Ca) is another essential part of the plant's cell wall structure, providing good transport and retention of other elements, whilst at the same time, it strengthens plants. It is also considered to be used to counteract the effect of organic acids and alkali salts in plants. Calcium sources include dolomitic lime and superphosphate and gypsum.

Magnesium (Mg) is part of the chlorophyll in all green plants. It aids the activation of plant enzymes that are needed for plant growth. Magnesium sources include dolomitic limestone, soil minerals, organic material and fertilisers.

Sulphur (S) is vital plant food for the production of protein as it promotes activity and development of enzymes and vitamins and also aids in the formation of chlorophyll. In addition, it is known to improve root growth, resistance to the cold and the production of seeds. Rainwater can be a good supplier of sulphur and it is also added into some lower grade fertilisers as an impurity. Gypsum, by the way, can also increase sulphur levels in soil.

Micronutrients are thought to be needed in “only very minute (micro) quantities” to ensure good plant growth, BUT PLEASE SEE THE VIDEOS BELOW TO DISCOVER AN AMAZING DEVELOPMENT TO TOTAL BOOST YOUR PLANTS’ GROWTH!

These trace elements are boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chloride (Cl), maganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn). Once again, grass cuttings and leaves provide all of these essential nutrients.

Boron (B) assists the plant to utilise nutrients well, regulates other nutrients and helps in the production of sugar and carbohydrate levels. It is a ‘must’ for good fruit and seed development. Boron can be found in Borax and in organic matter.

Copper (Cu) assists the plant’s reproductive growth, root metabolism and the utilisation of proteins.

Iron (Fe) helps in the formation of chlorophyll and is found in soil, iron sulphate, iron chelate.

Chloride (Cl) which is found naturally in soil assists plant metabolism.

Manganese (Mn), also found in soil, works together with the enzyme systems involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates, and the metabolism of nitrogen.

Molybdenum (Mo), in soil, aids the plant to utilise nitrogen.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element that helps the transformation of carbohydrate, regulates the plant’s sugar consumption and forms part of the enzyme systems which regulate normal plant growth. Zinc sources can be found in soil, zinc oxide, zinc chelate and zinc sulphate.

Macronutrients are lacking in soils with low pH, whilst Micronutrients are lacking in soils with high pH.

Soil contains variable combinations of sand, clay, silt and organic matter. This make-up of the soil texture and the acidity (pH) level determine the extent to which nutrients are made available to plants.

Soil texture affects how well the nutrients and water are retained in soil. For example, Clay and organic soil both hold nutrients and water much better than sandy soil does, this is because when the water drains from sandy soil it often carries nutrients along with it; this process is called 'leaching'. When this happens the nutrients are no longer available for plants to utilise.

An ideal soil texture should contain equivalent amounts of sand, clay, silt and organic matter. Sometimes, the vital nutrients needed for healthy plant growth and survival occur naturally in the soil. When they are lacking, though, these will need to be added to the soil in the form of lime or fertiliser.

Soil pH (a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity) is one of the most important soil properties that affects the availability of vital nutrients.

Lime can be added to the soil to make it less acidic. In turn, this also supplies calcium and magnesium and raises the pH level to the desired range of 6.0 to 6.5. In this desired pH range, the nutrients are more readily available to the plants, and the microbial populations in the soil also increase. In addition, Lime is also a useful enhancer of the physical properties of soil that promote movement of air and water.