Nutrients
from the Soil
Most living things need three basic things to survive:
food, water, and air. If you said that plants get their
nutrients and water from the soil, you are right! Although
all green plants make their food by photosynthesis,
they also need to get nutrients from the soil. These dissolve
in water and are taken up by the roots of the plant.
The most important plant nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorous
(P), and potassium (K).
Nitrogen
helps above-ground leafy growth and gives dark green color
to leaves.
Phosphorous
encourages plant cell division. Without phosphorous, flowers
and seeds could not form. Phosphorous also helps root growth
and protects the plant from disease.
Like phosphorous, potassium
increases the plant's resistance to disease and encourages
root growth. Potassium is needed for the making of chlorophyll.
Now use your new knowledge to solve
Mystery #2.
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