Environmental factors that may affect
growth and development of plants, among others:
light, water, minerals, moisture, temperature, and gravitational forces.
a. Nutrition and Water
Growth and development of plants requires
nutrition. These nutrients should be available in sufficient quantities and
balanced, with one another. Nutrients are taken from plants
from the soil and air. Elements needed by
plants are grouped into two, namely organic substances
(C, H, O, and N) and inorganic salts (Fe2 +, Ca2 +, and others).
Based on the amount of plant needs, the elements
can be grouped into two, namely elements of macro and elements
micro. Elements needed by plants in large quantities
called macro elements. For example: C, H, O, N, P, K, S, and acid
nucleus. Meanwhile, the micro elements are the elements that
needed in small quantities. For example: Cl, Mn, Fe, Cu,
Zn, B, and Mo.
Plant growth will be disrupted if one of the elements
needed is not fulfilled. For example, lack of elements
nitrogen and phosphorus in plants causing plants to be
dwarf. Lack of magnesium and calcium cause
plants have chlorosis (pale leaves).
Fulfilling the needs of plant elements is obtained through
absorption by the roots of the soil together with
water absorption. Water needed plants for photosynthesis,
pressure of cell turgor, maintain body temperature of plant,
transport, and enzymatic reaction medium.
The discovery of substances needed by plants to
growth and development cause humans
developing a way of planting a plant with
provide the right nutrition for the plant. Example
the application is tissue culture and hydroponics. Culture
the network cultivates a plant tissue into
small plants that have properties like
its parent. Media plant tissue culture in the form
solution or solids rich in nutrients to
grow plants. This tissue culture can
produce new plants in quantity
many in a relatively short time.
Meanwhile, hydroponics is a method
planting with rich water
nutrition as a planting medium.