Plant Metabolism 101

Plant nutrition and metabolism is a concert of many factors.
Not even a single violinist is forgotten.
Selection of a cultivar, environmental conditions, presence of raw materials, and efficient nutrient uptake are vital to achieving any planting goal.

When one begins to think like a plant, it becomes apparent what areas require the most attention.
In general, consider these factors in order of importance:
water quality, plant requirements, growing environment, nutrient properties, soil/medium properties and feeding directions.

Special consideration should be given to the nutritional requirements of your chosen plant...
An organism’s DNA is its blueprint for construction and survival.

If a growing plant was compared to a home under construction and its host environment acted as the building supply yard, one could easily visualize what might happen if a drywall screw was used in place of a lag bolt, or carpet in place of concrete because “nature” was out of stock at that moment in time… Price check on aisle four… Just like a chain, an organism is only as strong as its weakest link and every building block needs to be combined in the right order, the right place and the right time.

A plant’s life cycle is divided into four stages, each with varying needs.

1. Germination:
Young plants require very few nutrients as their seed pods are filled with simple sugars, amino acids, and hormones.
During this stage plants are very susceptible to shock and should be cared for gently.
Germination works best in warm, humid environments and can be accelerated by adding a root stimulating hormone, like the auxin, naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) an ingredient in products such as Superthrive and seaweed Kelp extracts.

2. Acclimation:
Once plants have sprouted, it’s time to expose sprouts to the growing environment and nutrient solution.
Young plants require low dose fertilizing because their root systems have not yet fully developed and are not capable of utilizing all nutrients.

Over fertilizing will damage or kill young plants.

3. Vegetative growth:
This stage is marked by exponential growth and large consumption of nutrients and water.
The demand for Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorous (P) increase as they are essential elements primarily required for the formation of amino acids and energy utilization, respectively...

4. Maturation:
A dramatic shift in nutrition, hormone regulation, and water consumption will take place.
Potassium (K) and Calcium ions (Ca2+) play vital roles in maturation as it is a required element in the formation of proteins, sugars, and oils, as wells as proper function of hormones, enzymes, and ion exchange.

To customize the best nutrient solution, a little research on your plant’s needs would be a good start. Many manufacturers make nutrient solutions in single, two, three and even four-part formulations, allowing the motivated grower to fine tune his/her feeding regiment...

Take the time to read labels!
If there is no ingredients label then there are no plant foods in the bottle.

Some products make outrageous claims that are physiological nonsense.

When the biochemistry of photosynthesis, respiration, and electron transport are better understood it becomes easier to cater to your plant’s needs and separate the reality from the TV show going on at the local grow store.

Digested from a long article:
What Makes Your Garden Grow?
By K.Roberto and B.Matthews

THE ELEMENTS OF COMPLETE PLANT NUTRITION

THE ELEMENTS OF COMPLETE PLANT NUTRITION

Written by a Staff Horticulturist employed by Dyna-Gro Corporation.

The following is a brief guideline of the role of essential and beneficial mineral nutrients that are crucial for growth.

Eliminate any one of these elements, and plants will display abnormalities of growth, deficiency symptoms, or may not reproduce normally.

Macronutrients -- Nitrogen is a major component of proteins, hormones, chlorophyll, vitamins and enzymes essential for plant life.
Nitrogen metabolism is a major factor in stem and leaf growth (vegetative growth).
Too much can delay flowering and fruiting. Deficiencies can reduce yields, cause yellowing of the leaves and stunt growth.

Phosphorus is necessary for seed germination, photosynthesis, protein formation and almost all aspects of growth and metabolism in plants. It is essential for flower and fruit formation.
Low pH (<4) results in phosphate being chemically locked up in organic soils. Deficiency symptoms are purple stems and leaves[Purpling can also be genetic in cannabis (imb)];maturity and growth are retarded.
Yields...are poor... Large applications of phosphorus without adequate levels of zinc can cause a zinc deficiency.

Potassium is necessary for formation of sugars, starches, carbohydrates, protein synthesis and cell division in roots and other parts of the plant.
It helps to adjust water balance, improves stem rigidity and cold hardiness, enhances flavor and color on fruit and vegetable crops, increases the oil content of fruits and is important for leafy crops. Deficiencies result in low yields, mottled, spotted or curled leaves, scorched or burned look to leaves..

Sulfur is a structural component of amino acids, proteins, vitamins and enzymes and is essential to produce chlorophyll. It imparts flavor to many vegetables. Deficiencies show as light green leaves.
Sulfur is readily lost by leaching from soils and should be applied with a nutrient formula. Some water supplies may contain Sulfur.

Magnesium is a critical structural component of the chlorophyll molecule and is necessary for functioning of plant enzymes to produce carbohydrates, sugars and fats... Deficient plants appear chlorotic, show yellowing between veins of older leaves; leaves may droop. Magnesium is leached by watering and must be supplied when feeding. It can be applied as a foliar spray to correct deficiencies.

Calcium activates enzymes, is a structural component of cell walls, influences water movement in cells and is necessary for cell growth and division.
Some plants must have calcium to take up nitrogen and other minerals. Calcium is easily leached.

Calcium, once deposited in plant tissue, is immobile (non-translocatable) so there must be a constant supply for growth.
Deficiency causes stunting of new growth in stems, flowers and roots. Symptoms range from distorted new growth to black spots on leaves and fruit. Yellow leaf margins may also appear.

Micronutrients -- Iron is necessary for many enzyme functions and as a catalyst for the synthesis of chlorophyll.
It is essential for the young growing parts of plants.
Deficiencies are pale leaf color of young leaves followed by yellowing of leaves and large veins. Iron is lost by leaching and is held in the lower portions of the soil structure. Under conditions of high pH (alkaline) iron is rendered unavailable to plants. When soils are alkaline, iron may be abundant but unavailable.
Applications of an acid nutrient formula containing iron chelates, held in soluble form, should correct the problem.

Manganese is involved in enzyme activity for photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen metabolism.
Deficiency in young leaves may show a network of green veins on a light green background similar to an iron deficiency. In the advanced stages the light green parts become white, and leaves are shed. Brownish, black, or grayish spots may appear next to the veins. In neutral or alkaline soils plants often show deficiency symptoms.
In highly acid soils, manganese may be available to the extent that it results in toxicity.

Boron is necessary for cell wall formation, membrane integrity, calcium uptake and may aid in the translocation of sugars.
Boron affects at least 16 functions in plants.
These functions include flowering, pollen germination, fruiting, cell division, water relationships and the movement of hormones.
Boron must be available throughout the life of the plant.
It is not translocated and is easily leached from soils...

Zinc is a component of enzymes or a functional cofactor of a large number of enzymes including auxins (plant growth hormones).
It is essential to carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis and internodal elongation (stem growth).
Deficient plants have mottled leaves with irregular chlorotic areas.
Zinc deficiency leads to iron deficiency causing similar symptoms. Deficiency occurs on eroded soils and is least available at a pH range of 5.5 - 7.0. Lowering the pH can render zinc more available to the point of toxicity.

Copper is concentrated in roots of plants and plays a part in nitrogen metabolism. It is a component of several enzymes and may be part of the enzyme systems that use carbohydrates and proteins. Deficiencies cause die back of the shoot tips, and terminal leaves develop brown spots. Copper is bound tightly in organic matter and may be deficient in highly organic soils. It is not readily lost from soil but may often be unavailable. Too much copper can cause toxicity.

Molybdenum is a structural component of the enzyme that reduces nitrates to ammonia. Without it, the synthesis of proteins is blocked and plant growth ceases. Root nodule (nitrogen fixing) bacteria also require it. Seeds may not form completely, and nitrogen deficiency may occur if plants are lacking molybdenum. Deficiency signs are pale green leaves with rolled or cupped margins.

Chlorine is involved in osmosis (movement of water or solutes in cells), the ionic balance necessary for plants to take up mineral elements and in photosynthesis.
Deficiency symptoms include wilting, stubby roots, chlorosis (yellowing) and bronzing.
Odors in some plants may be decreased. Chloride, the ionic form of chlorine used by plants, is usually found in soluble forms and is lost by leaching.
Some plants may show signs of toxicity if levels are too high.

Nickel has just recently won the status as an essential trace element for plants... Nickel is required for iron absorption.

Sodium is involved in osmotic (water movement) and ionic balance in plants.

Cobalt is required for nitrogen fixation in legumes and in root nodules of nonlegumes. The demand for cobalt is much higher for nitrogen fixation than for ammonium nutrition. Deficient levels could result in nitrogen deficiency symptoms.

Silicon is found as a component of cell walls.
Plants with supplies of soluble silicon produce stronger, tougher cell walls making them a mechanical barrier to piercing and sucking insects.
This significantly enhances plant heat and drought tolerance.

Foliar sprays of silicon have also shown benefits reducing populations of aphids on field crops. Tests have also found that silicon can be deposited by the plants at the site of infection by fungus to combat the penetration of the cell walls by the attacking fungus. Improved leaf erectness, stem strength and prevention or depression of iron and manganese toxicity have all been noted as effects from silicon. Silicon has not been determined essential for all plants but may be beneficial for many.

(Staff Horticulturist, Dyna-Gro Corporation.)

Man I’m just jumping in here to say that I like your post/threads I have learned a lot from reading those …………so thinks.

Yeah, they are good reading IM - thanks.

I was thinkin bout u and yer threads last night I.M.B and was like damn this guy is all over tha place with threads . Hella informative and much appriciated . It's like yer on "Living Color" "I'm a dr. a lawyer , an activist , a grower ." Keep it up , you make a difference here !

I.M.boggled...i'm not far off when I say, you are one of the most valued members on this site....always great info. I love it.

I wanna have your children!

sorry i just had to bump this thread because Sebastion made me fall down laughing....