Plant Nutrition

Key Stage 3

Meaning

Plants need certain nutrients which they cannot make themselves. They get these through the roots.

About Plant Nutrition

Plants get minerals and water through the roots, which are both essential for photosynthesis.

These are the most important minerals you should know:

• Nitrates - Which are needed to make proteins.
• Phosphates - Which are needed for photosynthesis and respiration.
• Potassium - Which are needed for enzymes in the plant to work.

If there are not enough of these nutrients in the soil the plant will become unhealthy.

• Not enough nitrates - The plant will have yellow leaves and stop growing.
• Not enough phosphates - The plant will have purple leaves and the roots will not grow.
• Not enough potassium - The leaves will be yellow with dead patches.