Nutrition in Plants

Nutrition in Plants

Modes of Nutrition

• Autotrophic nutrition: Plants produce their own food through photosynthesis
• Heterotrophic nutrition: Plants obtain food from external sources (e.g., parasites, insectivorous plants)

Nutrients Required

• Macronutrients:
  • Carbon (C)
  • Hydrogen (H)
  • Oxygen (O)
  • Nitrogen (N)
  • Phosphorus (P)
  • Potassium (K)
• Micronutrients:
  • Iron (Fe)
  • Zinc (Zn)
  • Copper (Cu)
  • Manganese (Mn)
  • Boron (B)
  • Molybdenum (Mo)

Photosynthesis

• Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy
• Equation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
• Occurs in chloroplasts, organelles found in plant cells

Nutrient Uptake

• Roots absorb nutrients and water from soil
• Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to leaves
• Phloem transports sugars and other organic compounds produced by photosynthesis

Soil Nutrients

• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms
• Mycorrhizal fungi aid in nutrient uptake by forming symbiotic relationships with plant roots

Nutrient Deficiencies

• Can cause a range of symptoms, including stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and reduced yields
• Examples of deficiencies:
  • Nitrogen deficiency: yellowing leaves, stunted growth
  • Iron deficiency: chlorosis (yellowing of leaves), reduced growth

Nutrition in Plants

Modes of Nutrition

• Plants can produce their own food through autotrophic nutrition, specifically via photosynthesis
• Heterotrophic plants, on the other hand, obtain food from external sources, such as parasites or insectivorous plants

Essential Nutrients

• Macronutrients required for plant growth include:
  • Carbon, the basis of organic compounds
  • Hydrogen, essential for water and organic compounds
  • Oxygen, necessary for energy production
  • Nitrogen, crucial for amino acids and proteins
  • Phosphorus, essential for energy production and DNA
  • Potassium, necessary for water balance and energy production
• Micronutrients, though required in smaller amounts, are still vital for plant growth and include:
  • Iron, essential for energy production and chlorophyll
  • Zinc, necessary for protein synthesis and growth regulation
  • Copper, crucial for enzyme function and plant defense
  • Manganese, necessary for enzyme function and photosynthesis
  • Boron, essential for cell wall formation and sugar metabolism
  • Molybdenum, necessary for nitrogen fixation and protein synthesis

Photosynthesis

• The process of photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose and oxygen
• The equation for photosynthesis is: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
• This process occurs in chloroplasts, organelles found in plant cells, and is essential for plant growth and energy production

Nutrient Uptake and Transport

• Roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil
• The xylem transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves
• The phloem transports sugars and other organic compounds produced by photosynthesis throughout the plant

Soil Nutrients

• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobia, convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for plants
• Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, aiding in nutrient uptake

Nutrient Deficiencies

• Nutrient deficiencies can cause a range of symptoms, including stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and reduced yields
• Examples of deficiencies include:
  • Nitrogen deficiency, characterized by yellowing leaves and stunted growth
  • Iron deficiency, marked by chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) and reduced growth

Learn about the different modes of nutrition in plants, including autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition, and the essential macronutrients and micronutrients required for plant growth.