For the Instructor Upon completion, students will be able to: G3.4 Understand the factors that influence plant growth, including water, nutrients, light, soil, air, and climate.

#Gainz By: Jose Vargas

Today, we will learn.. The 6 factors that affect plant growth Climate Light Nutrients Soil Air Water

Ecosystem A system that includes all living organisms (biotic factors) in an area as well as its physical environment (abiotic factors) functioning together as a unit.

Question Are plants considered biotic or abiotic? Biotic! Plants are living organisms which, depend heavily on abiotic factors.

Nutrients Plants need 16 essential nutrients to live. 2 Main Types Macro Nutrients -Elements needed in large (macro) quantities Micro Nutrients -Elements needed in very small (micro) quantities

Nutrients

Plants get these three essential nutrients from air and water Carbon (C) Oxygen( O 2 ) Hydrogen(H) Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Found in soils Used in large by the plant amounts for growth and survival. Replenished through fertilization

Nutrients

Soil Soil pH determines the availability of nutrients at certain levels A well structured soil: Allows germination seedling to emerge Allows establishment of a strong root system. Allows access to water and nutrients

Light Plants get energy from light through a process called photosynthesis, which takes CO2 + H20 and sunlight to create glucose, oxygen and water. Light shortages cause: Stems will be leggy or stretched out Leaves turn yellow Leaves are too small Leave or stems are spindly Brown edges or tips on leaves Lower leaves dry up

Air Wind increases heat loss due to evaporation and convection (wind chill). It also contributes to water loss by increasing the rate of evaporation from the soil and the stomata's of the plants.

If a plant’s soil has too much water, the roots can rot because the plant can’t get enough oxygen from the soil. If there is not enough water for a plant, the nutrients it needs cannot travel through the plant. - This leads to yellowing or dried leaves Water

A gardener can check the amount of water in a plant's soil by inserting a finger in the soil. Moist soil has enough water, while dry soil needs to be watered. Other signs of a plant needing water include a lighter-than-usual soil that is pulling away from the pot's sides.

Climate Climate includes: Relative humidity Rainfall Light exposure Temperature If the climate is too hot, the plants will die of thirst and will shrivel up. If it is too cold, the plants will die from lack of sun.

Question What are the 6 factors that affect plant growth? Climate, light, nutrients, soil, air, water

Why is this information helpful? SAE project Future job in ornamental horticulture