Nutrition in Plants

Plant nutrition

Plants are the organisms, which can attain their nutrition from the soil and the atmosphere while animals gain nutrition from the food they eat. The energy source that is used by the plants for synthesizing the organic molecules by sugar modification in photosynthesis is sunlight. The plants have to take up several minerals from the soil through the roots and make use of them for its nutritional purpose.

The basic elements that are necessary for the plant nutrition are oxygen, hydrogen and carbon. The primary macronutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium are present in the soil. The secondary macronutrients such as sulfur, calcium and magnesium are beneficial to the plants in very small amounts. The micronutrients are the elements, which are required by the plant in small quantities are Boron, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Iron, and Chlorine. The fertilizer that is considered as complete is known to possess primary and secondary macronutrients, and micronutrients. The label on the fertilizer represents the percent by weight of the primary macronutrients and other nutrients present in the soil. This can be used for using particular fertilizer, which is considered essential for the plants. When the plant is able to take all the above mentioned nutrients in desired quantities, then the plant is said to be taking balanced diet.

Soil

The rocks and mineral substances get decomposed and weathered and later gets mixed up with water and air. The soil which is fertile will consist of minerals and nutritive substances that can be readily used by the plant. The roots of the plant will pass through the soil and search for the necessary minerals to supply to the plant.

The minerals provided through the soil to the plant are beneficial to the plant in many ways. The carbohydrates and proteins that constitute the structure of the plant are made up of the mineral elements. The molecules used in the plant metabolism such as magnesium in chlorophyll and phosphorus in ATP are created by making use of the minerals. The potassium is known to activate about fifty enzymes. The mineral absorption can help in maintenance of osmotic balance.