Topics

Growth factors (4 des) Growth regulators / phytohormones (4 -11 des) Seed germination (11 des) Plant movements (? des) Photoperiodism ( ?) Senescence (?)

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Plant Growth Requirements

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Major Factors for Plant Growth

Temperature Light Moisture Carbon Dioxide Hormones

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Temperature

As temperature increases, reaction rates increase

ie-Photosynthesis is slower at lower

temperatures: however the rate increases up to a cerain point as the temperature goes up

Plant growth functions such as absorption of minerals and water are determined by temperature

Temperature

Plants have an optional temperature range at which they function best Plants have a minimum temperature tolerance below which the plant may be injured or killed
Monocots have an advantage because the growth point remains

below the ground Dicots growing point is pushed above the ground and do not tolerate fluctuating temperatures or frost

Temperature
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Sun scald can occur at high temperatures

High temperatures cause desiccation or may

may directly kill protoplasm of cells

Plants should be selected according to the growth conditions and climate of the area
An exception is the greenhouse where

temperature conditions can be controlled

Light effects plants based on its quality,

intensity and duration.

Quality The major source of light is the sun Normal plant growth requires white light or sunlight Chlorophyll absorbs the red and blue portions of the light spectrum. Leaves are green, since the chlorophyll reflects green light

Quality

Light is important and must contain important wavelenghts These wavelengths are represented by the rainbow

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Light Intensity provides energy for photosynthesis

Rate of photosynthesis is effected by water, carbon dioxide and sunlight

In the absence of light, plants will grow until there food reserves are exhausted
This growth will be elongated and abnormal

Light Intensity

Phototropism is the tendency to grow in the direction of the greatest light intensity Plants vary in the intensity of light that they need
ie-Impatiens grow better in shade with indirect

light Zinnias grow best in full sunlight

Light Duration

Photoperiodism is a growth response to the length of dark period This determines if a plants is growing vegetatively or is in the flowering stage
In a greenhouse we can force a plant to bloom

by controlling the duration of light

Flowering plants include short-day, longday and day-neutral plants

Short-day Plants-must be exposed to light periods shorter than some critical length for flowering to occur
ie-Poinsettia

Long-day Plants-must be exposed to light periods longer than some critical length for flowering to occur
ie-Azalea

Long-day, Short-day and Day-neutral

Day-neutral Plants-These plants flower regardless the day length

ie-Dandelion

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Ways to influence blooming or vegetative growth

Use a black cloth to shorten days. This involves covering the plants with an opaque cover to shorten days
Artificial light stimulates long days by adding light in the evening hours

Other Light Effects

Phototropism is the growth response in which plants turn or bend in the direction of the light source
Geotropism is the growth response in which plants turn or bend in response to gravity

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Moisture is also essential for plant growth

Water carries essential nutrients from the roots and acts as a solvent for salts and minerals Water translocates photosynthetic products from the leaves via the phloem Water is a chemical reactant in may plant processes including photosynthesis and respiration

Moisture

Water quality is important to plants Excessive salt can cause leaf burn, root corrosion, poor seed germination, wilting and killing Capillary water is used by the plants
Capillary is when the water makes contact with

the soil and it is elevated of depressed depending on the relative attraction of the molecules or water

Moisture

Capillary continued

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Water moves freely in the soil and can move up

or down, horizontally ie-dip the end of a napkin into a glass of water and observe water as it moves up through the napkin

Moisture Not Available To Plants

Gravity water-which is lost due to drainage Hygroscopic water that bonds to soil particles
The bonding is ionic charge related to the size

of the soil particle and its electrical charge The charge is opposite that if water and will attract or hold the water in the soil making it unavailable to plants

Moisture

Plants with large thin leaves lose water more readily and have high water requirements Plants with small waxy leaves have a tendency to lose less water to transpiration and have less water requirements
Desert plants have small leaf surfaces while

tropical plants have a large leaf surface

Carbon Dioxide is Required for Photosynthesis

Carbon Dioxide is taken in through the stomata Air contains .03% Carbon Dioxide Greenhouses need to have CO2 added
Roses, carnations and tomatoes need 12% This can be accomplished by using gas burners

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Carbon Dioxide

Plants use 16 essential nutrients and are available in the soil Primary nutrients-N, P, K Secondary nutrients-Ca, S, Mg Trace nutrients-Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cl, B, Mo C, H, O-usually not limited since they are freely available in the air and water

Hormones

Hormones are low molecular weight chemicals produced in the plant to regulate growth Auxin-promotes cell elongation, apical dominance, induces roots on cuttings, stimulates fruit development and stimulates ethylene synthesis

Hormones

ABA-Stimulates stomatal closure, may be necessary for abscission and dormancy in some species Cytokinin-Promotes apical dominance, shoot growth and fruit development Giberellins-GA-Flowering stimulation in long-day plants and biennials, shoot elongation and regulates production of seed enzymes in cereals

Hormones

Ethylene-Promotes fruit ripening, leaf and flower senescence and abscission

Conclusion

Moisture, Temperature, Light, Carbon Dioxide and Hormones are required in various amounts for different plants but are all requirements for a plant to grow.