t n a l p c i Bas s d e ne
Basic Plant Needs Plants, like other living organisms, have certain requirements to sustain life. Once you understand what the basic requirements are, you can see how the gardeners operations ensure these needs are met to produce vigorous, healthy growth Water – absorbed from soil through the roots Energy from Sunlight – absorbed by the green pigment (chlorophyll) which is contained in the leaves Oxygen – absorbed from the atmosphere through leaves and roots Carbon Dioxide – absorbed from the atmosphere through leaves Nutrients – absorbed from the soil through roots (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium etc) Space - All plants need enough space to grow which is free from competition for the above factors If any one of these essential factors is in short supply, plant growth will be restricted. A lack of one factor cannot be counteracted by an abundance of the others.
Basic Plant Needs
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How the plant obtains energy for its essential chemical reactions 1. the green pigment (chlorophyll), in leaves, absorbs Sunlight energy 2. Plants use Sunlight as the energy source for the synthesis of Carbohydrates (sugars) from Carbon Dioxide and Water. 3. The process is called Photosynthesis and releases some Oxygen to the atmosphere, as a waste product. 4. Plants use Carbohydrates as the chemical energy source, which powers their chemical reactions
How the plant uses its Chemical Energy 1. Plants absorb Oxygen from the atmosphere to break down Carbohydrates and release chemical energy. 2. The chemical energy fuels the building of compounds, essential for plant growth, from Nutrients and other raw materials. Overall, during Carbohydrate production and breakdown, Oxygen release exceeds the amount absorbed Life on earth relies on photosynthesis for all of its organic compounds and the majority of its energy. Photosynthesis also maintains atmospheric oxygen levels.
Basic Plant Needs
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