Question

#16

16. What can you determine about the effects of fertilizer on a plant's ability to generate standing biomass? 17. What would happen to a grassland ecosystem if primary productivity were significantly reduced? 18. Should farmers fertilize their crops in the amounts recommended by the manufacturer or should they dilute or increase its strength? Defend your answer.

Answer 1

Standing biomass means the total weight of living organisms in an ecosystem in a specific time.

Application of fertilizer in proper amount stimulates plant ability to generate biomass. Macronutrient elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur) along with micronutrients (iron, copper, zinc, manganese, boron, chlorine, molybdenum) in smaller amount are the main compositions of a fertilizer. Fertilizer is applied to the soil by diluting in water in a proper ratio. Then roots uptake this water. These nutrients make food production easy for plants. Thus increasing plant growth rate.

Main three macronutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for plants. It is needed to build chlorophyll, and is one of the main components of amino acids. Phosphorus is needed in photosynthesis, cell growth, cell division, etc.. Potassium is needed for stomatal opening and closing, activation of proteins, development of roots, fruits, etc..

On the other hand excessive application of fertilizers can kill helpful soil microorganisms, retardation in plant growth. Sometimes excess fertilizer enhances growth of shoot only, leaving the root in an underdeveloped conditions. This results low uptake of water and ultimately causes plant wilting.