What is the minimum amount light a plant will need?

Plant Physiology Lecture #3 1-26-09

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 8- to 120 mmol m-2S-1

What is meant by photoperiod?

 It refers to the duration interms of day length classification (short day, long day, day neutral plants) A response of flowering The amount of daylight (length) duration needed for a plant to flower.

Why do plant flower in response to light?

 Because of phytochrome Plant color

Distinguish between the two main phytochromes.

 Pr = absorbs red light at 680 nm Pfr = absorbs far red light at 730 nm These are photo reversible

Discuss the 3 developmental response of plants to light (red: far red)

 Seed germination
Related to seed in forest Seeds that response to light to germinate
Which do not get much light = low light

Germinates when there is a gap in forest cannopy

Evasion (most leaves absorb blue/red light)

Purslane evades far red light

Morphology
Plants grow in narrow spacing and high density
Longer internodes Few branches Related to low R:Fr ratio More biomass

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What is negative phototropism?

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 Plant growing away from light (because of the quality of the light as appose to the intensity)

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Discuss the plant nutrient needs.

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 Plants absorbs more than 90 nutrients

About 17 are essential 13 used in large amounts

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Show in order of abundance the 6 important minerals needed for plant growth

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 N> K> Ca> Mg> P> S

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What 3 elements makes up 95% of plant needs?

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 C , H, O They produce carbohydrates in plants

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Give an example of a mineral that is toxic to plants.

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 Pb

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List three essential criteria for plant nutrients

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1. A lack will stop plant growth 2. Elements is directly involved in nutrition of plants and not merely taking up space. 3. A shortage can be corrected only by supplying that element.

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Discuss a plants response to N.

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N speeds up growth Produce dark green leaves High protein content Improves water use when there is an ample supply

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Lists ion picked up by plants in abundance.

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NO3NH4+ HPO4-2 H2PO4K

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What happens with too much N? list six adverse effects ?

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Soft weak and easily injured More prone to disease Overly rapid growth and slows maturity Delays hardening off (reducing water application ) Impairs flowering in vegetable crops Increases risks to humans
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How does too much nitrogen in plants increase risks to human?

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 Oxalic acid
Interferes with Ca++ absorption

Methemoglobinia
Blue-baby syndrome

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