Why do we say that soil is a plant's "nutrient pool"?
July 22 03:03:16, 2025
Why do we call soil a plant's "nutrient pool"?
Plants require essential nutrients to grow properly, and these nutrients come from two main sources. First, they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and take in hydrogen and oxygen from water. However, for other vital elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, plants rely heavily on the soil. Through their root systems, plants draw these minerals from the soil and transport them throughout the plant to support growth, development, and reproduction (Figure 1).
It’s also important to note that certain plants, especially legumes such as soybeans and peanuts, have root nodules that contain bacteria capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. This process allows the plant to convert nitrogen gas into a usable form, reducing its dependence on soil nitrogen. Despite this, most crops still depend largely on the soil for their nutrient supply.
Therefore, soil is often referred to as a "nutrient bank" for plants. However, the nutrients available in the soil may not always be sufficient in either quantity or availability. Some nutrients might be locked up in forms that plants cannot easily access, while others may be depleted over time due to continuous farming. To address this imbalance, farmers use fertilization to supplement the soil’s natural nutrient content.
In conclusion, proper and balanced fertilization plays a crucial role in ensuring that plants receive all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and high yields. It’s an essential practice in modern agriculture that helps bridge the gap between what the soil provides and what crops require.
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