Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 3: Nutrition in Plant
CHAPTER 3
Nutrition in
Plant
"Dan berilah perumpamaan kepada mereka (manusia),
kehidupan dunia sebagai air hujan yang Kami turunkan
dari langit, maka menjadi subur kerananya tumbuh-
tumbuhan di muka bumi, kemudian tumbuh-tumbuhan
itu menjadi kering yang diterbangkan oleh angin. Dan
adalah Allah, Maha Kuasa atas segala sesuatu"
Surah Al-Kaf: Ayat 45
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 3: Nutrition in Plant
3.1 MAIN INORGANIC NUTRIENTS Tree
Macro Nutrients and Micronutrients Required by Plants map
MAIN INORGANIC NUTRIENTS
Macronutrients Micronutrients
Carbon (C) Chlorine (Cl)
Calcium (Ca) Zinc (Zn)
Hydrogen (H) Iron (Fe)
Magnesium (Mg) Copper (Cu)
Oxygen (O) Manganese (Mn)
Phosphorus (P) Nickel (Ni)
Nitrogen (N) Boron (B)
Sulphur (S) Molybdenum (Mo)
Potassium (K)
1. Three main macronutrients obtained easily from air and water from the soil
2. Which are;
Carbon
Hydrogen
oxygen
3. These nutrients make up most of the dry mass of plants.
4. The remaining nutrients are taken in the form of mineral salts which are dissolved in the
soil through fertiliser
The Necessity of Macronutrients in Plants
Macronutrients Functions Effects of Deficiency
Important components in carbon Photosynthesis will not take place
Carbon (C) cycle and oxygen cycle Less oxygen released by plants
Oxygen (O)
Hydrogen (H)
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 3: Nutrition in Plant
Nitrogen (N) Components in all organic Stunted growth which can cause
compounds of plants death because there is no glucose
Potassium (K) Important components in
Calcium (Ca) synthesis of sugar Leaves undergo chlorosis
Magnesium Gives the green colour to plants (yellowing of the leaves) mainly on
(Mg) through the formation of matured leaves
Phosphorus (P) chlorophyll Underlying leaves fall off
Main components of proteins, Protein synthesis disrupted
Sulphur (S) nucleic acids and enzymes in Stunted growth
photosynthesis and respiration Protein synthesis disrupted
Important in protein synthesis and Edges of leaves become yellowish
carbohydrate metabolism Premature death of plants
As cofactors for some enzymes
Maintains plant turgidity Stunted growth
Main component of middle Leaves become distorted and
lamella, cell wall and spindle fibres lobed
during cell division Parts between leaf veins become
yellowish
Main component of the structure Parts between matured leaf veins
of chlorophyll molecule become yellowish
Activates some plant enzymes Red spots on leaf surfaces
Involved in carbohydrate Lobed leaves
metabolism
Synthesises nucleic acids, Unhealthy root growth
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and Formation of dark green and dull
phospholipids in plasma coloured leaves
membrane Red or purple spots appear on
Act as coenzymes in older leaves
photosynthesis and respiration
Components of a few amino acids Leaves or the whole plant turns
One of vitamin B constituents and yellow
a few types of coenzymes
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 3: Nutrition in Plant
The Necessity of Micronutrients in Plants
Micronutrients Functions Effects of Deficiency
Chlorine (Cl) Important in the equilibrium of Plants wilt
osmotic pressure in cells and Slower root growth
photosynthesis reaction Leaves undergo chlorosis
Lesser fruit production
Iron (Fe) Acts as a cofactor in chlorophyll Young leaves become yellowish
synthesis
Manganese Important in the growth of young Network of dark green leaf veins
(Mn) plants with a background of light green
Activates photosynthetic enzymes Light brown or grey spots in
Important for cell respiration and between leaf veins
nitrogen metabolism Death of terminal buds
Abnormal growth
Boron (B) Helps the roots in calcium ion Leaves become thicker, rolled up
Zinc (Zn) uptake and sucrose translocation and fragile
Copper (Cu) Involves in carbohydrate
Nickel (Ni) metabolism Leaf surfaces become spotted
Helps in germination of pollen with chlorosis parts
Important in leaf formation Stunted growth
Synthesis of auxin (growth
hormone) Death of young shoot apex
As a cofactor in carbohydrate Brown spots on terminal leaves
metabolism Plants become stunted
Involves in nitrogen metabolism
and photosynthesis Stunted growth
Important for growth, reproduction Reduces crop production
and flower formation Burnt effect at the end of leaves
A component of plant enzymes due to urea accumulation
Involved in the breakdown of urea Chlorosis in between matured leaf
to become ammonia veins
Leaf colour becomes pale green
Molybdenum Involves in nitrogen fixation and Reduces crop production
(Mo) nitrate reduction during protein
synthesis
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 3: Nutrition in Plant
5. Knop’s solution culture is used to study the importance of nutrients for plant growth
6. Complete culture solution contains all nutrients including trace elements needed by
healthy plants
Complete Knop’s culture solution
Calcium nitrate, (NO3)2 0.8 g
Potassium nitrate, KNO3 0.2 g
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate, KH2PO4 0.2 g
Magnesium sulphate, MgSO4 0.2 g
Iron (III) phosphate, FePO4 Trace
Distilled water 1000 cm3
3.2 ORGAN FOR WATER AND MINERAL SALTS UPTAKE
1. Root is the most important organ for plants
2. Involved directly in plant growth.
3. Usually are located under the soil surface
4. Grow towards the centre of the earth and watery areas
5. Two main functions of roots:
Provide support and strength
• To anchor the plant in the soil
Absorb water and mineral salts from the soil
• Transport them to the stem and leaves
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 3: Nutrition in Plant
The Root Structure for Water and Mineral Salts Uptake
P Root collar
Q Lateral root
R Root hair
S Primary root
T Root cap
Structures Functions
Root collar
Root hairs Part of the root connected to the base of the plant stem
Root cap Adapted from epidermal cells of the roots
Increases the total surface area of the roots t
Increase the uptake of water and mineral salt
Located at the tip of the root
Protects the root from damage when going through the soil
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 3: Nutrition in Plant
Root Adaptations for Water and Mineral Salts Uptake
Vascular S Primary T Root hair
cylinder xylem P U Cambium
Pericycle Q vascular
V Endodermis
Primary R
phloem W Cortex
Epidermis X
Structures Functions
Epidermis
Cortex Epidermal cells are closely arranged.
Thin cell walls and water-permeable cell membranes
Facilitate water movement in the roots.
There are epidermal cells which form root hairs
o Elongating towards lateral sides from the outer walls.
o Not layered with cuticle to allow water absorption.
o Have large vacuoles to store water and mineral salts to
increase water absorption.
Cortex is located under the epidermal layer.
Has thin cell walls, facilitating water movement in the roots.
The cells are loosely arranged to facilitate gaseous
exchange.
Most of the cortex consists of parenchyma cells.
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 3: Nutrition in Plant
Structures Functions
Endodermis
Separating layer between cortex and vascular cylinder.
Vascular cylinder Endodermal cells are closely arranged and one cell thick.
Most of the endodermal cells have suberin or lignin
thickening at the walls
Form Casparian strips.
Endodermis allows water and mineral salts absorbed from
the soil to enter the vascular cylinder.
Vascular cylinder is the root core that consists of xylem and
phloem tissues
Surrounded by one cell thick pericycle cell tissues.
Pericycle is involved in secondary growth and the formation
of lateral roots.
Xylem and phloem tissues are arranged in a star-shaped
pattern.
Xylem tissue transports water and mineral salts
Phloem tissue transports organic substances such as
sucrose and plant hormone.
3.3 DIVERSITY IN PLANT NUTRITION
1. Nutrition is a process of organisms obtaining energy and nutrients from food
2. Used for growth, maintenance and repair of damaged tissues.
3. Three types nutrition in plant;
Parasitic
Epiphytic
Carnivorous
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Jisrun Najaah Fi Ilmi Al Insan Chapter 3: Nutrition in Plant
Nutritional Adaptations of Plants
Nutritional Explanation Adaptation
Parasitic plants Live by growing on other plants
which are the hosts. The roots of this plant absorb organic
Epiphytic plants This causes the parasitic plant substances, minerals and water from the
to grow faster and flourish, host
Carnivorous Host is malnourished, dried and By penetrating the stem up to the
plants will eventually die. vascular bundles of the host.
Are green plants which live on The root known as haustorium
other plants which are the
hosts. Plants receive more sunlight for
Epiphytes do not harm the host photosynthesis by living on taller hosts.
Can synthesise their own food.
Able to synthesise their own The roots can absorb nutrients
food by carrying out accumulated in the gaps of the plant’s
photosynthesis. stem
Trapped animals to supply Have swollen stems that are able to
nitrogen to the plants for store a lot of water
growth.
Live in soil which lacks nitrogen Secrete nectar and they have cups to
sources. trap their prey, typically insects.
The prey is then slowly digested by
digestive enzymes.
Parasite root
Host cell
Haustorium
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