Mineral Salts For Plants PDF

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Mineral salts for plants

Nitrogen fertilisers
► Fertilisers are used to replace minerals used by plants.
► Nitrogen fertilisers - such as ammonium nitrate and ammonium
phosphate - provide plants with water-soluble sources of nitrogen
that they can absorb through their roots. They allow farmers to
increase the yield and quality of their crops.
► However, overuse can cause problems. Eutrophication happens
when excess nitrate (or phosphate) enters rivers or lakes from fields.
This can lead to the death of fish and other aquatic animals.
Plant nutrients
► Plants use minerals from the soil to build the complex molecules they need to
survive and grow. Poor plant growth may be due to a deficiency in one or
more minerals.

Mineral requirements
► Fertilizers contain minerals such as:
• nitrates
• phosphates
• potassium compounds
Mineral Element supplied Why needed
Nitrogen is needed to make
amino acids for proteins,
Nitrates Nitrogen, N
which are needed for cell
growth

Phosphorus is needed to
Phosphates Phosphorus, P make DNA and cell
membranes
Potassium is needed in
enzymes involved in
Potassium compounds Potassium, K
respiration and
photosynthesis
Mineral Deficiency

Mineral ion Needed for Effects of deficiency

Magnesium Making chlorophyll Leaves turn yellow

Nitrate Making amino acids Stunted growth


Absorbing minerals
► Plants can only absorb soluble minerals (those that can dissolve in water).
They absorb minerals dissolved in solution from the soil through
their root hair cells. However, the concentration of minerals in the soil is
very low.

Active transport – Higher tier only


► Minerals cannot be absorbed by osmosis because this is the movement of
water only. They cannot be absorbed by diffusion, because the minerals
are in very low concentration. Instead, active transport is used.
Standard NPK ratio
► 3:1:2
► 3% Nitrogen, 1% phosphorus & 2%
potassium

NPK in soil
► 4:2:1.
Organic fertilizers Inorganic fertilizers

Feeding the soil Feeding the plant

Amount of nutrients can not be Amount of nutrients can be controlled


controlled
Requires microbial activity for Direct use
use
Lower soil salinity after use Leads to soil acidification

Low nutrient value High nutrient value

Can give advantage for soil low microbial counts


organisms
Cheap Expensive
Thank You
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