323.T1

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

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

323.T2

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

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.

323.T3

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

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.

323.T4

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

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.

323.T5

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

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.

323.T6

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

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.

323.T7

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

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.

323.T8

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

Plant Growth Requirements

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

• Carbon Dioxide is absorbed through the stomata.

• It is used in photosynthesis to produce sugars for the plant.

323.T9

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

Plant Growth Requirements

Essential Nutrients

• Primary– Nitrogen (N)– Potassium (K)– Phosphorus (P)

• Secondary– Calcium (Ca)– Sulphur (S)– Magnesium (Mg)

323.T10

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

Plant Growth Requirements

Essential Nutrients

• Trace Elements– Manganese (Mn)– Iron (Fe)– Copper (Cu)– Chlorine (Cl)– Boron (B)– Molybdenum (Mo)

• Atmospheric Nutrients– Carbon (C)– Hydrogen (H)– Oxygen (O)