Every plant requires food to survive. This food comes through the process of photosynthesis by the plant. Photosynthesis uses sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce food, but have you ever wondered about the importance of carbon dioxide for the survival of the plant? Do plants need carbon dioxide to survive?
Do plants need carbon dioxide?
Yes, plants do need carbon dioxide to survive. Carbon dioxide plays an important role in the process of photosynthesis. It helps in producing the food required by the plant for its survival. The sugars in the carbon dioxide are broken down to make food. The carbon dioxide is oxidized in the process and oxygen is released back to the air in the end. The plant can obtain carbon dioxide from natural atmospheric air by itself. An abundance of carbon dioxide may indeed ensure faster growth for the plant. However, over time due to pollution, the level of carbon dioxide has risen. It can cause severe problems for the plant.
Advantages of carbon dioxide in the plants
So, let us learn about the advantages of carbon dioxide in the plants –
Faster Growth
Since plants need carbon dioxide to allow the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis helps provide food for the plant, more food would mean faster growth. It allows the plant to obtain the required nutrition as the process of photosynthesis is expedited. Thus, more food and abundant nutrition help facilitate faster growth for the plant.
Better Health
Since proper nutrition is the basis of a healthy plant, it is only natural that a well-fed plant will be healthy. Carbon dioxide helps in the process of photosynthesis which in turn helps provide more food. So, carbon dioxide plays a part in ensuring the plant has sufficient food and is in good health.
Disadvantages of excess carbon dioxide in the plant
However, there are also a few disadvantages of excess carbon dioxide in the plant –
Loss of Cooling Mechanism
The plants tend to give off water through these pores in a process called evapotranspiration. It helps in keeping the plant cool. However, the excess carbon dioxide in the plant may cause the pores of the plant to shut. It prevents the plant from allowing the moisture to be let out through the pores. It affects the cooling mechanism of the plant and causes it to warm up. It can have prolonged effects on the health of the plant.
Loss of Nitrogen
Excess carbon dioxide assimilation also replaces the tissue nitrogen in the plant and causes a decrease in the nitrogen levels. Nitrogen helps assist the transport of minerals and carry out essential life processes of the plant. So, if the nitrogen levels fall, there is a negative impact on the health of the plant, and it becomes weak.
Thus, we can see that carbon dioxide is a necessary element for the healthy growth and survival of the plant. However, due to the increasing pollution, the level of carbon dioxide has gone up considerably. The only way to help maintain the delicate balance of carbon dioxide is to plant a larger number of trees.
