Plant Structures and Growing Conditions PDF

Learning Pack for Plants for Food and Fibre – Unit 2 (Science In Action 7) 7 1.4 Plant Structures Are Adapted to Their Environment Plants have particular habitats, each with its own set of environmental characteristics, including light, temperature water and soil conditions. The str...

Learning Pack for Plants for Food and Fibre – Unit 2 (Science In Action 7) 7 1.4 Plant Structures Are Adapted to Their Environment Plants have particular habitats, each with its own set of environmental characteristics, including light, temperature water and soil conditions. The structure of a plant helps it to adapt to these conditions. There is much more to a plant than what you are able to see above the surface of the soil. In fact, up to one third of the plant can be beneath the soil. Types of Roots Roots perform several functions: they absorb water and minerals from the soil they support and anchor the plant so it cannot be relocated easily they store food to help the plant survive during times of scarcity The most prominent part of the root in many plants is the Other plants have fibrous roots, taproot, with many smaller roots coming out which is a shallow from it, like branches on a tree. These smaller roots are system of similar-sized roots that covered in root hairs. The smaller roots and root hairs can quickly soak up moisture. absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Roots are often especially adapted to a plant's habitat. Moss campion is an example of how a plant grows its The duckweed on the other hand taproot system throughout the early years of the plant's has tiny roots on the underside of life, so that it can have a well established taproot system the leaf and are surrounded before the upper part of the plant matures (it can take entirely by water. up to 25 years for the plant to bloom). The Stem One function of the stem is to transport water and nutrients between the leaves and the roots. Another function of the stem is to support the leaves and to ensure that the leaves receive adequate light. To achieve this most stems grow above the ground Still another function is to store food for the plant. The food produced in the leaves is stored in the stem - like potatoes, which have swollen underground stems called tubers (the starch they store is used by the plant to grow). Some plants store food as sugar as well - the sugar cane is a good example. 1.5 Plant Needs and Growing Conditions All plants need the right amount of light, water, nutrients and space in order to grow and survive. Plants Need Different Amounts of Light (fern – marigold) Plants Need Different Amounts of Water (cactus – rice) Plants Need Different Nutrients (beans – wheat) Plants Need Different Amounts of Space (buttercups – redwoods) ROOT CROPS The yield from crops that are grown outdoors is highly Generally grow in a short period of dependent on the environmental conditions, climate and soil time, usually survive when there is types. In a greenhouse all of the growing conditions can be little moisture and can be stored for controlled. There are obvious advantages, but there are also long periods of time disadvantages. A wide range of warm-season crops, including seedless cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, house plants, and cut flowers are grown in greenhouses. Growing healthy plants requires knowing the best conditions for the plant you are growing, at each stage in its life cycle. Copyright 2005 – Developed by Edquest Resources (www.edquest.ca)