Nutrition in Plants
Definition: Nutrition is the process by which plants take in and use food to sustain their growth and development.
Types of Nutrition: There are two main types of nutrition in plants - Autotrophic and Heterotrophic.
Autotrophic Nutrition
Definition: Autotrophic nutrition is the
process by which plants make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Process: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make their own food.
Equation: Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen (in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll)
Importance: Autotrophic nutrition is essential for plant growth and development.
Photosynthesis
Definition: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose.
Conditions necessary for photosynthesis:
Light
Chlorophyll
Carbon dioxide
Water
Role of chlorophyll: Chlorophyll is a green pigment that plays a crucial role in photosynthesis by absorbing light energy.
Heterotrophic Nutrition
Definition: Heterotrophic nutrition is the process by which plants obtain their nutrients by depending on other organisms.
Types of heterotrophic plants:
Parasitic plants
Saprophytic plants
Insectivorous plants
Symbiotic plants
Parasitic Plants
Definition: Parasitic plants are plants that obtain their nutrients by depending on other plants.
Examples: Cuscuta (dodder), mistletoe
Characteristics: Parasitic plants have special roots that penetrate into the tissues of the host plant.
Saprophytic Plants
Definition: Saprophytic plants are plants that obtain their nutrients from dead and decaying plant and animal matter.
Examples: Indian pipe, coral root
Characteristics: Saprophytic plants have fungi that convert dead and decaying matter into nutrients.
Insectivorous Plants
Definition: Insectivorous plants are plants that obtain their nutrients by trapping and consuming insects.
Examples: Venus flytrap, pitcher plant, sundew
Characteristics: Insectivorous plants have modified leaves that trap and digest insects.
Symbiotic Plants
Definition: Symbiotic plants are plants
that live in association with other organisms and share food and other resources.
Examples: Lichens (symbiotic association between fungi and algae)
Characteristics: Symbiotic plants mutually benefit from each other.
Replenishment of Nutrients in the Soil
Importance: Plants use mineral nutrients from the soil for their growth, leading to depletion of nutrients.
