Plant Minerals

• Signs of plant disease

  • Areas of discoloration
  • Black patches all over the leaves
• Causes of plant disease

  • Bacterial
  • Viral
  • Fungal
• Mineral deficiency


  When plants don't have enough minerals, their growth will be affected
• How plants absorb minerals

  1. Mineral ions absorbed by root hair cells

  2. Mineral ions and water travel in xylem tubes
• Nitrates


  • Needed for growth
  • Used to make proteins
• Nitrate deficiency


  Causes stunted growth
• Phosphates


  • Needed for healthy roots
  • Affect overall plant growth
• Potassium


  • Needed for healthy leaves and flowers
  • Plants with deficiency have yellow leaves with dead patches
  • Affects photosynthesis
• Magnesium


  • Used for making chlorophyll
  • Needed for photosynthesis
• Magnesium deficiency


  Leaves turn yellow
• Fertilizers


  Chemicals used by farmers to replace minerals in soil