Plant Growth Requirements
Plant Growth Requirements
• In order to grow well, plants must have basic
needs met. These are:
– Proper temperature
– Light quality, intensity, & duration
– Moisture
– Carbon dioxide (CO2)
– Sixteen essential nutrients
– Oxygen for respiration
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
323.T1
Plant Growth Requirements
Temperature
• Photosynthesis increases as the temperature
increases.
• The plant’s uptake of minerals and water are
effected by temperature.
• Plants have an optimum temperature for growth
and development.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
323.T2
Plant Growth Requirements
Temperature, (cont’d.)
• Plants have a minimum temperature below which
they cannot live.
• High temperatures may dry out plants.
• Plants should be chosen for the climatic conditions
of the area.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
323.T3
Plant Growth Requirements
Light
Quality:
Plants require white light or sunlight.
Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light
and reflects green light.
Intensity:
Intense light provides sufficient energy
for photosynthesis to occur.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
323.T4
Plant Growth Requirements
Light (cont’d.)
Duration:
Different plants require different
exposure times to light in order to be
productive.
Photoperiod is the length of time that
the plant needs light.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
323.T5
Plant Growth Requirements
Moisture
• Soil moisture carries minerals and nutrients from the
soil into the plant via the xylem.
• Water is used in chemical reactions such as
photosynthesis.
• Turgor is the pressure which allows the plant to
stand erect, is provided by water within the cell.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
323.T6
Plant Growth Requirements
Moisture (cont’d.)
• Water cools the plant via transpiration.
• Water moves (translocates) products that are
produced by photosynthesis from the leaves to the
rest of the plant via the phloem.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
323.T7
Plant Growth Requirements
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Carbon Dioxide is absorbed through the stomata.
• It is used in photosynthesis to produce sugars for
the plant.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
323.T8
Plant Growth Requirements
Essential Nutrients
• Primary
– Nitrogen (N)
– Potassium (K)
– Phosphorus (P)
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
• Secondary
– Calcium (Ca)
– Sulphur (S)
– Magnesium (Mg)
323.T9
Plant Growth Requirements
Essential Nutrients
• Trace Elements
– Manganese (Mn)
– Iron (Fe)
– Copper (Cu)
– Chlorine (Cl)
– Boron (B)
– Molybdenum (Mo)
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
• Atmospheric Nutrients
– Carbon (C)
– Hydrogen (H)
– Oxygen (O)
323.T10