PLANT NUTRITION

• Green plants are the only living organisms able to manufacture their own food.
• They are called food producers of the world.
• Animals rely on green plants to make food that produces energy.
• Plants make food in the form of carbohydrates molecules i.e. sugar and starches.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Photo-means light
Synthesis- means make/build up.
• Its whereby green plants manufacture their own food using carbon dioxide, water and light as a
source of energy.
• Green plants are the producers of food and oxygen.
• Plants convert light energy into potential chemical energy.
• Photosynthesis can be defined as the process by which green plants use light energy to combine
carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates, releasing oxygen as a by-product.
• This can be summarized by an equation as follows:

Carbon dioxide + water light carbohydrates + oxygen

Chlorophyll

Experiment : Testing a leaf for starch.

Method;
1. Place the leaves in boiling water to stop chemical reactions.
2. Boil the leaf in alcohol in water bath to remove chlorophyll.
3. Place the brittle leaves in warm water for few seconds to soften the leaves.
4. Spread the leaves on a white tile and flood the leaves with iodine solution.
5. Record the colour change of iodine.

RESULTS. A blue black colour denotes the presence of starch.

Conclusion. Green plants make starch during photosynthesis.

Experiment : To show that carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis.

Materials: two potted plants
Method :
1. De-starch the leaf.
2. Cover the plants in a polythene bags for two days, keeping them in a lighted place.

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 3. Insert an inverted lid containing soda lime or calcium carbonate on the surface of the pot for plant
A. This absorbs carbon dioxide.
4. Cover the plant again and leave plant B untreated and keep the plants for 2-3 days.
5. Perform the starch test.
6. Record the results.

Experiment : To show that light is necessary for photosynthesis.

Materials:one potted plant,aluminium foil,or cardboard, sellotape, paper clips, starch testing kit.

METHOD

1. Destarch the potted plant by placing it in darkness for at least 24 hours.

2. Take a small piece of aluminium foil or cardboard and cut simple shape out on its middle
and cover leaf on the plant with the foil, ensuring the cut out side is uppermost.
3. Leave the plant in sunlight for 4-6 hours.
4. Remove the leaf covered by the foil and test it for starch.

Results . The covered part remains brown and the uncovered part turns blue black.
Experiment : To show that chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis

: 1

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MATERIALS
Variegated leaf, starch testing kit.

Method:
1. Starch is difficult to remove chlorophyll from a leaf without killing it so a leaf which contains
chlorophyll only in patches is used.
2. Test the variegated leaf for starch.

Results. The green part turns blue black showing the presence of starch yet the white part remains
brown.

PRODUCTS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS

• Green plants manufacture starch or sugar . Oxygen is also formed during the process. It passes out
of the leaves by diffusion into surrounding air through the microscopic pores or holes called stomata
which are found on the lower surface of the leaf.
• These allow the entry of carbon dioxide as well as the exit of oxygen.
• Carbohydrates molecules formed are transported to other parts of the plant.
• This is call translocation.
• Starch is stored in leaves for a source of energy at night or in special storage organs.

EXPERIMENT; What gas is released during photosynthesis?

Materials. Water weed, glass beaker, funnel, test tube, and splint.

Method;
1. Pour water into a deep glass beaker.
2. Place the water weed in the water and invert a short stemmed funnel over it, making sure that
the stem of the funnel is completely submerged in the water.
3. Fill a test tube with water and invert it over the stem of the funnel under water.
4. Place the apparatus in sunlight for 2-4 hours.
Observations. Gas collects in the test tube. Remove the test tube by lifting it upwards sob that the gas
remains in it. Test the gas in the test tube with a glowing splint.
RESULTS;The splint burst in to a flame.

FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

A plant without one of necessary factors cannot photosynthesize. The speed of photosynthesis varies to
the amount of each factor present.
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• The process of photosynthesis would be affected by : - (a) Light intensity
(b) Temperature variations
(c) Carbon dioxide concentration

NB: The rate of photosynthesis can be estimated by measuring one of the products (oxygen and
carbohydrates).

Leaves and photosynthesis

• The leaves are the main organs for photosynthesis. Their structure is related or adopted for this
process.

Cross section through a leaf.

• Cuticle layer:- It is a waxy layer on top of epidermis. It is a waterproof and therefore reduces the loss
of water from the leaves and also prevents entry of pathogens.
• Palisade layer/mesophyll- : main organ of food production. The cells contain a lot of chloroplast.
• Spongy layer :- have got a lot of air spaces and is important for gaseous exchange.
• Vascular bundle-: contains the xylem and phloem vessels.
-Xylem vessels-carries water required for photosynthesis.
-Phloem vessels- carry away soluble food to other parts of the plant.

ADAPTATIONS OF THE LEAF FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS

• Large surface area to trap light.
• Thin leaf to allow light through and a short diffusion for carbon dioxide.
• Presents of stomata on the underneath of the leaf to allow gaseous exchange.
• Spongy layer which creates air spaces to allow carbon dioxide to enter through.
• Chlorophyll to attract or trap sunlight.
• Venation (veins) to carry water into the leaf and soluble food out of the leaf.

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MINERAL NUTRITION
• Plants require mineral salts from their environment. These are absorbed as ions in solution.
• Each mineral element has a specific function in the plant.
Uses of mineral elements and their deficiency disease
MINERAL USES Source DEFICIENCY
ELEMENT
Nitrogen (N) • Protein formation • Stunted growth
• Good leaf growth • Yellowish of leaves(chlorosis)
Ammonium
compounds
Phosphorus (P) • Producing energy carriers Phosphate • Purple leaf colour
• Good root growth compounds • Stunted root growth

Potassium (K) • Flower and fruit formation • Yellow/brown leaf margins

• For respiration and • Early death of fruits and
photosynthesis Potassium flowers
• For osmosis and ionic sulphate • Poor flower and fruit setting
balance
Potassium
chloride

PLANT PESTAND DISEASES

• Pests are organisms (plant/animal) which are harmful to plant or animal or which affects their
activities.

Types of plant pests and diseases.

• Tissue eating pests:

Affects the plant by biting and chewing plant roots, stem and leaves. They have got jaws which
leaves holes , gaps and cut edges e.g. locusts, caterpillars, snail, beetles etc.
• Sap-sucking pests
Affects the plant by sucking the juices. They have got a needle like mouth which piece through
the plant tissue to suck the sap. They cause spots on leaves and stem resulting in wilting and
premature drop e.g. aphids and red spider.

• Bacterial wilt diseases

Affects the plant by blocking the xylem vessels of plants so that water and mineral salts cannot be
transported e.g. bacterial wilt of tomatoes . Can be controlled by improving drainage and using
good seed and rotating crops.
• Fungal rust diseases
Parasite fungi cause white and brown particles on leaves preventing the plant from photosynthesis.
Controlled by using resistant varieties.

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METHODS OF CONTROLLING PESTS
We have 3 methods of controlling pests.
• Chemical control
Chemicals are used to control pests. These chemicals are known as pesticides/insecticides and
fungicides.
• Cultural /natural methods
Is when one practices crop rotation to destroy life cycle of pests which favour to feed on one crop.
Also early planting, burning plant residues, weeding to prevent build up of pests. ]
• Biological control method
This is when pests are used to feed on other pests on a natural enermy e.g. using other animals e.g.
hens to feed on snails, aphids, caterpillar etc.

Comparing control methods

Chemical methods
Advantages Disadvantages
• It is a quick method • It is expensive
• It is specific • Kill or damage other animals
• Affect normal food chains
• Potentially dangerous
Cultural methods
Advantages Disadvantages
• It is cheap • It is slow
• It is safe • Needs to be repeated often
• It is readily available
Biological methods
Advantages Disadvantages
• It is cheap • Other animals may end up destroying the
plant
Safe use of chemicals
• All pesticides are dangerous and should be used with precautions.
• Pesticides are graded depending on how dangerous or poisonous they are .
• Use pesticides with caution

Dangerous
Very Poison Caution
poison
Dangerous
poison

Purple Red Amber Green

Extremely
Poisonous very dangerous poisonous use with caution

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NOTES
 Read all instructions carefully.
• Wear protective clothing
• Always clean up after use.
• Store in locked places out of reach of children.
• Bury empty containers.