Environmental Requirements for Good Plant Growth

Soil composed of sand, silt, and clay, organic

matter, living organisms, and pore spaces classified according to percentage of sand,

silt, and clay they contain.

Ideal Soil Composition 45% Mineral Matter 25% Water 25% Air 5% Organic Matter

Soil Particles vary greatly in size sand is the largest silt - medium clay - smallest

Soil Profile Consists of 3 basic layers

Topsoil represents depth normally plowed

Subsoil deep rooting plants send roots down into subsoil

soil bedrock

Water in Soil Gravitational Water

Soil is unable to hold against the force of gravity Of little value to plant as it drains away quickly Seen more in soils with large pore space

Water in Soil Capillary Water

Free moving capillary water Moves in all directions

Available capillary water (field capacity) Remaining water after capillary movement stops Soil surface is dry and water is a thin film around soil Most important water for plants (half available)

Unavailable capillary water Not available to plants Held tightly by soil particles and moved as vapor

Types of Soil Sandy Clay Loamy

Sandy Soil Silt and clay make up less than 20% by

weight Drain well Little water holding capacity

Clay Soil Must contain at least 30% clay Holds more moisture than is good for plants Poor drainage

Loamy Soil Most desirable soil Equal parts sand, silt and clay If more sand, it is sandy loam If more clay, clay loam If more silt, silty loam

Soil less Planting Media Mixes Many greenhouses and nurseries use soil less

mixes Advantages of soil less planting media

Sterile Lightweight Easier to handle and ship Good moisture retention and drainage Free of weed seeds

Soil less Planting Media Mixes Disadvantages

Light weight - pots tip in strong wind Minor elements are missing

Iron Sulfur Manganese Zinc Calcium

Transplants may not adjust well to new media

Soil less Media Options Perlite

Gray-white material of volcanic origin Improve aeration Larger particles provide better drainage and

aeration Vermiculite

Exploded Mica Improves aeration Neutral pH

Plant food and fertilizers divided into two groups Major elements (macro)

Nitrogen - N Phosphorus - P Potassium - K

Plant requirements large amounts of major elements relatively small amounts of

minor elements

Commercial fertilizers shows % or pounds per cwt.

(100#) of the three major elements in large numbers on the container or bag.

Commercial fertilizers 5-10-5 5% N, 10% P, 5% K remaining 80% is filler NP&K are always listed in that

order.

Soil tests determine amount of elements

needed for various plants.

Nitrogen has most noticeable effect on

plants encourages above ground

vegetative growth regulates use of other elements

Phosphorous held tightly by soil particles not easily leached effects plants in several ways encourage cell division

Phosphorous flowers and seeds don’t form

without it hastens maturity, offsetting quick

growth caused by N. encourage root growth makes K more available

Phosphorous increase disease resistance improves quality of grain, root and fruit

crops container plants can be damaged by

excess P increases soluble salt content of medium causes dehydration of roots

Potassium modifies both fast soft growth of

N and early maturity of P is essential

Potassium increase disease resistance encourages healthy root systems essential for starch formation development of chlorophyll efficient use of CO2

pH measure of acidity or alkalinity pH scale - runs from 0 - 14 most plants grow best from 5.6-

7.0

pH 7.0 is neutral pH of 7 or above is alkaline or

basic pH below 7 is acidic

pH as numbers decrease, solution

becomes more acidic. As numbers increase, solution

becomes more basic or alkaline

pH if soil is too acidic, lime is added

to raise the pH if soil is too alkaline, sulfur is

added

Above ground environment temperature

some plants prefer cool weather some plants prefer warm weather

Temperature there are temperatures above and

below which plants stop growth generally, plant growth rate

increases as temps increase up to about 90 degrees

Light must be present before plants can

manufacture food plants vary in light requirement effects flowering

Photoperiodism response to different periods of

day and night in terms of growth and maturity

Photoperiodism short day plants

chrysanthemum and Christmas Cactus

bloom when days are short and nights are long

Photoperiodism long day plants

lettuce and radishes bloom when days are long and

nights are short

Photoperiodism day length indifferent

do not depend on length of light or darkness

African Violet and tomato

Phototropism plants appear to grow towards the

sun or light source

Humidity moisture level of the air most plants grow best in 40-80%

RH Relative Humidity

Humidity too high humidity may cause the

spread of fungus diseases

Plant diseases and Insects reduce production lower fruit and vegetable quality

Gases and Air Particles CO2 is vital to plants for Ps Air pollutants can cause damage

Air Pollutants Sulfur Dioxide - SO2 - from

burning coal Carbon Monoxide - CO - exhaust

from cars

Carbon Monoxide reduces plant growth can kill plants