Quote: "Plant nutrition is the study of the chemical elements and compounds necessary for plant growth and reproduction, plant metabolism, and their external supply."
The process by which plants take up nutrients from the soil and transport them to various parts of the plant for growth and development.
Photosynthesis: The process by which plants convert sunlight into energy and produce oxygen.
Soil nutrients: The essential nutrients plants require for growth and development, including macronutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and micronutrients (e.g. zinc, iron, magnesium).
Plant roots: The organ responsible for nutrient and water uptake from the soil.
Transport of nutrients in xylem and phloem: The mechanism for transporting nutrients from the roots to other parts of the plant.
Plant growth hormones: A group of chemicals that control plant growth and development.
Mycorrhizae: A symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi that helps plants absorb nutrients from the soil.
Nutrient deficiency symptoms: The visual signs of nutrient deficiency in plants.
Transpiration: The process by which plants lose water through tiny pores on the leaves.
Nutrient cycling: The process by which nutrients are recycled and reused in ecosystems.
Soil pH and nutrient availability: The impact of soil pH on the availability of nutrients for plant uptake.
Nitrogen fixation: The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by plants.
Nutrient uptake mechanisms: The physiological and molecular mechanisms by which plants absorb nutrients from the soil.
Abiotic stress and nutrient uptake: How environmental stressors such as drought or extreme temperatures can affect nutrient uptake in plants.
Plant-microbe interactions: The interaction between plants and microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi that affect nutrient uptake and plant health.
Genetic engineering for nutrient uptake: The use of genetic engineering to improve plant nutrient uptake and yield.
Passive diffusion: This is the movement of nutrients from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration down a concentration gradient.
Active transport: This is the movement of nutrients from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration against a concentration gradient, using energy from ATP.
Facilitated diffusion: This is the movement of nutrients across a membrane with the help of carrier proteins that facilitate movement down a concentration gradient.
Ion channels: This is the movement of charged nutrient ions across a membrane through specialized proteins that function as ion channels.
Endocytosis: This is a process where the cell membrane envelops and engulfs nutrient molecules, and draws them into the cell.
Partner-assisted transport: This process involves the interaction of a root-exuded organic compound with a microbial partner, facilitating the transport of nutrients into the plant root.
Symplastic transport: This involves movement of nutrients through plasmodesmata, which are channels that connect the cytoplasms of neighboring cells.
Apoplastic transport: This refers to the movement of nutrients through the cell walls and intercellular spaces in a plant's apoplast.
Phloem transport: This process involves the movement of nutrients, such as sucrose and amino acids, through specialized cells known as sieve elements in the phloem tissues.
Xylem transport: This is the movement of water and dissolved nutrients from the roots to the leaves of the plant via specialized cells called xylem vessels.
Transpiration pull: This process uses the evaporation of water from the leaves to create negative pressure and pull water and nutrients up through the xylem.
Root pressure: This is the movement of water and nutrients into the roots under pressure generated within the root cells, causing nutrients to move up into the plant.
Active metal hyperaccumulation: This involves the active uptake and transport of certain metals within plants, which accumulate in high concentrations to detoxify the soil.
Quote: "In its absence, the plant is unable to complete a normal life cycle, or that the element is part of some essential plant constituent or metabolite. This is in accordance with Justus von Liebig’s law of the minimum."
Quote: "The total essential plant nutrients include seventeen different elements: carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen... nitrogen... and other nutrients."
Quote: "Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen [nutrients] are absorbed from the air."
Quote: "Nitrogen [nutrient] is typically obtained from the soil."
Quote: "The macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg)."
Quote: "The micronutrients (or trace minerals): iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni)."
Quote: "Plants absorb these elements as ions."
Quote: "The macronutrients are taken-up in larger quantities;... hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon contribute to over 95% of a plant's entire biomass."
Quote: "Micronutrients are present in plant tissue in quantities measured in parts per million, ranging from 0.1 to 200 ppm, or less than 0.02% dry weight."
Quote: "Most soil conditions across the world can provide plants adapted to that climate and soil with sufficient nutrition for a complete life cycle."
Quote: "However, if the soil is cropped, it is necessary to artificially modify soil fertility through the addition of fertilizer to promote vigorous growth and increase or sustain yield."
Quote: "This is done because, even with adequate water and light, nutrient deficiency can limit growth and crop yield."
Quote: "Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen [nutrients] are absorbed from the air, whereas other nutrients including nitrogen are typically obtained from the soil."
Quote: "The total essential plant nutrients include seventeen different elements... The macronutrients and the micronutrients (or trace minerals)."
Quote: "Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon contribute to over 95% of a plant's entire biomass."
Quote: "Micronutrients are present in plant tissue in quantities measured in parts per million, ranging from 0.1 to 200 ppm, or less than 0.02% dry weight."
Quote: "In its absence, the plant is unable to complete a normal life cycle."
Quote: "Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen [are absorbed from the air], whereas other nutrients including nitrogen are typically obtained from the soil."
Quote: "It is necessary to artificially modify soil fertility through the addition of fertilizer to promote vigorous growth and increase or sustain yield."