Sources of nutrients


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Sources of Nutrients

Sources of Nutrients:

Plants obtain carbon from the carbon dioxide present in the air, hydrogen from water and oxygen from air and water. They get the remaining nutrients from the soil. Soil is, therefore, the most important source of various plant nutrients.

Plants, unlike animals, do not require organic materials for their nutrition from other bodies they obtain organic material in large quantity from their tissues. By using the solar energy in the process of photosynthesis,  they are able to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water . However, plants do require inorganic salts, which they absorb from the soil surrounding their roots; these include the elements phosphorus (in the form of phosphate),chlorine (as the chloride ion),potassium,sulphur, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, boron, copper, and zinc. Plants also require nitrogen, in the form of nitrate (NO3) or ammonium (NH4+) ions. Moreover they  absorb other inorganic compounds such as iodides and cobalt and selenium salts which they do not require.

The soil gets nutrients as a result of rains there is a gradual breakdown of the rocky material on Earth’s surface. Primarily composed of alumina and silica, rocks also contain smaller amounts of all the mineral elements needed by plants. Another source of soil nutrients is the decomposition of dead plants and animals and their waste products. Earthworm and other millions of microorganisms are a part of the soil, which helps in break down organic materials, releasing simpler mineral salts. Furthermore, two groups of bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen that is, they are able to add relatively inert element into nitrate ions.

1. Bacteria of the genus Azobacter live freely in soil,

2. Bacteria of the genus Rhizobium live sheltered in the roots of leguminous plants such as peas and beans.

3. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) also can fix nitrogen and are important for growing rice in the flooded paddy fields of Southeast Asia.

In areas of intensive farming, where crops are harvested at least once a year and no animals browse the fields, human intervention in the form of fertilizers is important. A traditional form of fertilizer has been animal manure, or muck, made from the straw bedding of cattle that has been soaked in excreta and allowed to ferment for a period. Since the 1800's farmers also have used artificial fertilizers, at first using naturally occurring mixtures of chemicals such as chalk (supplying calcium), rock phosphates, and the natural manure known as guano. Commercial guano consists of the accumulated deposits of bird droppings and is valued for its high concentration of nitrates. Modern chemical fertilizers include one or more of three important elements: nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Most nitrogenous fertilizers are produced by a technique in which nitrogen and hydrogen are combined at very high pressures in the presence of catalysts to form ammonia (NH3). This can then be injected into the soil as a gas that is quickly absorbed or, more commonly, converted into solid products such as ammonium salts,urea, and nitrates, which can be used as ingredients in mixed fertilizers.

Sample Questions
(More Questions for each concept available in Login)
Question : 1

Plants get carbon dioxide from __________________.

Right Option : B
View Explanation
Explanation
Question : 2

Plants get hydrogen from __________________.

Right Option : B
View Explanation
Explanation
Question : 3

Which of the following are correct :

(a) Plants obtain carbon from the carbon dioxide present in the air.

(b) Plants obtain hydrogen from water and oxygen from air and water.

(c) Soil is the most important source of various plant nutrients.

Right Option : D
View Explanation
Explanation
Chapters
Simple Harmonic Motion
Cytology
Classifucation Of Plants
Structural Composition Of Plants
Nutrition In Plants, Harmones And Plant Disease
Ecosystem
Classification In Animals
Nutrition In Animals
Human Digestive System
Human Respiratory System
Human Skeleton System
Human Excretory System
Human Nervous System
Human Circulatory System
Human Endocrine System
Human Reproductive System
Genetics
Human Diseases
States Of Matter
Metals And Non Metals
Acid Bases And Salts
Periodic Classification
Fuel, Combustion And Flame
Environmental Chemistry
Rest And Motion
Work Power And Energy
Gravitation
Pressure And Its Effects
Sound and Waves
Heat And Temperature
Light - Reflection
Electricity And Magnetism
Modern Physics
Force And The Laws Of Motion
Light - Refraction
Dispersion And Human Eye
Magnetic Effect Of Electric Current
Atom And Molecule
Pre-Historic Period
Indus Valley Civilization
Vedic Civilization
Religious Reform Movement
The Early Kingdoms
The Mauryan Empire
Post Mauryan Period
The Age Of The Guptas
Post Gupta Era
Age of Rajput
Khilji Dynasty
Slave Dynasty
Tughlaq and Sayyid Dynasty
Vijaynagar Empire And Bahamani Kingdom
Mughal Empire And Beyond
Lodhi Dynasty
Cholas, Chalukyas and Pallavas
Arab Invasions
Bhakti and Sufi Movement
Rise of Sikhs, Jats and Marathas
Administrative Structure of Delhi Sultanate
Architecture During Medivial India
Advent Of The Europeans
Post Mughal Period
Rise of New States in 18th Century
Growth of British Paramountacy
Socio Religious Reforms
Constitutional Development of India
Indian Struggle Against British Rule
The Revolt Of 1857
Education Under British Rule
Role of Press in Freedom Struggle
First Phase of National Movement
Second Phase of National Movement
Third Phase of National Movement
Constitutional Development in India
Constituent Assembly
Union And Its Territory
Structure of Indian Constitution
Fundamental Rights and Duties
The Union Executive
The Union Legislature
Constitutional Amendments and Provisions
Judiciary In India
Emergency Provisions
Center - State Relations
The State Executive
The State Legislature
Election Commission Of India
Constitutional Organisation
Non-Constitutional Organisation
Local Self Goverment
India - Size And Location
Geological History Of India
The Physical Features Of India
Climate Of India
Soils In India
Natural Vegetation
Windlife Conservation In India
Drainage System of India
Irrigation System Of India
Agriculture In India
Livestock And Fisheries In India
Minerals And Energy Resources In India
Means Of Transport In India
Major Industries In India
Tribes of India
Census of India 2011
Music
Dance
Theatre
Pantings
Art, Architecture & Culture of India
Bio-Diversity
Earth And Its Structure
Land Rock And Soil
Atmosphere, Climate And Weather
Oceanography
Human And Regional Geography
Economic Growth And Development
Sectors Of Indian Economy
Economic Planning Of India
Fiscal And Monetary Policy In India
Infrastructure In India
Effects Of British Rule On Indian Economy
National Income
Banking System In India
Poverty And Unemployment
Inflation And Trade Cycles
Major Institutions
Environmental Studies
Chemistry In Everyday Life
Units And Dimensions
Tissues In Organism
Content / Category
Class / Course
 
 
Related Videos
Language - English
Language - English

Language - English
Language - Hindi/English

Language - Hindi/English
Language - Hindi/English
Language - Hindi/English



Students / Parents Reviews [20]