The Grass Doctor

How does plant fertilizer work?

How does it work? I did a science experiment to see plant growth differences when storebought fertilizer was added. The plant with the storebought fertilizer grew about and inch and a half taller, and now i have to conduct a research paper and tell how plant fertilizer works. I did a search on google and ask, BUT THEY COULD NOT COME UP WITH ANYTHING! please help?

Public Comments

1. yes, plants need certain elements to use as food. Nitrogen, (N), Phosphoric Acid (P2O2), and Potash (P). when you see fertilizers . these three elements are listed in the formula (example 10-30-10) these numbers can change according to the make up of the formula....some plants need more acid (roses for example), some don't
2. I believe that nitrogen breaks down in the soil and is actually feeding the plant with carbohydrates. Look up your local state university, they probably have a extension service in your town. Call them. If they dont know, they have the university ag sciences department at their disposal to get you the answer you need. John
3. Think of fertilizer like a multi vitamin. It gives the plants vital nutrients that help the plant grow to the best of it ability. Basic fertilizer has 3 macro nutrients. Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K). Nitrogen helps with color and growth and is used fairly quickly Phosphorous helps the reproduction like root development, flowering, and seed development. Potassium help the cell walls and the disease resistance of the plant.
4. Here is a simple way to think of it: Fertilizer is like vitamins for plants. Just like taking vitamins will help you stay strong and healthy, since the body needs things like Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, etc. That is exactly what fertilizer does for plants. They just need different nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, etc.
5. google plant mineral nutrition and physiology http://www.steve.gb.com/science/plant_mineral_nutrition.html minerals are not turned into carbohydrates in the soil and then absorbed by the plant. Plant absorb minerals by various mechanisms and the minerals are transported by the flow of water (though some may have active tranport) through the plant.