MINERAL ABSORPTION BY ROOTS

Plants are able to synthesize all their required compounds, with the help of the minerals and from soil, from air, and light energy.

Uptake mechanisms.

Most of the minerals enter the root hairs or epidermal cells of roots along with water in bulk flow, but Some are taken in by diffusion, facilitated diffusion, or active transport Absorptive form. When inorganic or organic fertilizer is applied to soil, the minerals are absorbed primarily as inorganic ions. Rate of absorption Rate of each mineral by roots is essentially independent of the rates of absorption of water and of the other minerals. Factors. Each mineral moves into roots at a rate determined by such factors as Concentration. Its concentration both inside and outside the root, concentration of each vary according to the fertility and the acidity of the soil, besides other factors.

Ease of transport.

The ease with which it can passively penetrate cell membrane and extent to which carrier molecules and active absorption are involved. Dissolution of Minerals. The minerals available to plants for absorption are dissolved in the soil water. When the soil minerals are not in solution but are bound by ionic bonds to soil particles, they are not available to plants.