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Plant Physiology: Nutrients & Absorption

The document provides an overview of plant physiology, highlighting its main processes and the essential nutrients required for plant growth, including macronutrients and micronutrients. It discusses mineral absorption mechanisms, distinguishing between active and passive absorption theories, and factors affecting mineral uptake such as temperature, oxygen, and pH. The document emphasizes the importance of understanding these physiological processes for the successful growth and functioning of plants.

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38 views2 pages

Plant Physiology: Nutrients & Absorption

The document provides an overview of plant physiology, highlighting its main processes and the essential nutrients required for plant growth, including macronutrients and micronutrients. It discusses mineral absorption mechanisms, distinguishing between active and passive absorption theories, and factors affecting mineral uptake such as temperature, oxygen, and pH. The document emphasizes the importance of understanding these physiological processes for the successful growth and functioning of plants.

Uploaded by

fariraiyal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

‭Introduction to Plant Physiology‬

‭●‬ ‭Plant physiology is a branch of plant science studying how plants live and function‬

‭●‬ ‭Stephen Hales is considered the father of plant physiology‬

‭●‬ M
‭ ain physiological processes: diffusion, imbibition, water & mineral absorption, transportation,‬
‭transpiration, photosynthesis, respiration, etc.‬

‭Essential Nutrients in Plants‬

‭●‬ ‭17 inorganic elements are essential for plant growth and completion of life cycle‬

‭●‬ ‭Macronutrients (needed in larger amounts):‬

‭○‬ ‭Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O) → non-mineral, from air and water‬

‭○‬ ‭Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulfur (S)‬

‭●‬ ‭Micronutrients (needed in smaller amounts):‬

‭○‬ I‭ron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Boron (B), Chlorine‬
‭(Cl), Sodium (Na)‬

‭●‬ ‭Some nutrients have special roles:‬

‭○‬ ‭Silicon – grass plants‬

‭○‬ ‭Cobalt – legumes‬

‭○‬ ‭Sodium – C₄ plants‬

‭Mineral Absorption‬

‭●‬ ‭Minerals are absorbed in ionic form (e.g., K⁺, Ca²⁺, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻)‬

‭●‬ ‭Root hairs and meristematic regions are involved in absorption‬

‭●‬ ‭Two types of absorption mechani[Link]

‭○‬ ‭Active absorption (requires ATP) – ions move against concentration gradient‬

‭○‬ ‭Passive absorption – ions move along concentration gradient‬

‭Active Absorption Theories‬

‭●‬ ‭Carrier Concept (Vanden Honert, 1937):‬


‭○‬ ‭Specific carrier molecules form complexes with ions and transport them‬

‭○‬ ‭Uptake rate plateaus when all carriers are occupied‬

‭●‬ ‭Protein-Lecithin Theory (Bennet Clark, 1956):‬

‭○‬ ‭Lecithin acts as carrier for ions‬

‭○‬ ‭Enzyme lecithinase mediates the process‬

‭●‬ ‭Proton-Anion Co-transport Theory:‬

‭○‬ ‭Proton motive force drives anion uptake along with H⁺ ions‬

‭○‬ ‭Relies on pH and ATPase activity‬

‭●‬ ‭Cytochrome Pump Theory (H. Lund, 1954):‬

‭○‬ ‭Involves dehydrogenase reactions and electron transport‬

‭○‬ ‭Anions enter via redox activity of cytochromes‬

‭Passive Absorption Theories‬

‭●‬ ‭Mass flow theory – ions move with water due to transpiration‬

‭●‬ ‭Diffusion theory – ions diffuse from high to low concentration‬

‭●‬ ‭Ion Exchange theory – ions are exchanged between soil solution and root surfaces‬

‭○‬ ‭E.g., H⁺/OH⁻ from roots displace cations/anions‬

‭●‬ D
‭ onnan Equilibrium – due to presence of non-diffusible ions, ions distribute unequally across‬
‭membranes‬

‭Factors Affecting Mineral Absorption‬

‭●‬ ‭Temperature – absorption is temperature-dependent‬

‭●‬ ‭Oxygen – essential for active absorption‬

‭●‬ ‭Light – enhances transpiration and indirectly affects absorption‬

‭●‬ ‭pH – acidic pH helps cation uptake; alkaline favors anions‬

‭●‬ ‭Presence of other ions – can inhibit or enhance uptake (ion antagonism)‬

‭●‬ ‭Growth activity – active cell division and elongation increase absorption‬

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