We know of the essentials required by a plant to grow. However, we have never seen phosphorus as being a necessary element for the growth of the plant. So, do plants need phosphorus to grow?
Do plants need phosphorus?
Yes, plants do need phosphorus to grow. The reason you don’t find phosphorus in the list of essential requisites for the growth of the plant is that it is included in the nutrients that the plant requires. Thus, phosphorus is an important nutrient that the plant requires to grow strong and healthy.
Functions of Phosphorus
Phosphorus is an essential component of ATP, which is the energy unit of the plant. ATP is formed during photosynthesis, and phosphorus is an important part of ATP. Phosphorus also plays a major role in helping the plant capture and convert the sun’s energy during the process of photosynthesis.
It is also a vital component of the DNA and RNA, which are the genetic codes of the plant. The structures of both the DNA and RNA are linked together by the phosphorus bonds. Further, phosphorus also plays a major role in ensuring the overall health of the plant.
Benefits of phosphorous for the plants
Let us explore the benefits of phosphorous for the plants –
Root Development
Phosphorus helps in the proper development of the roots of the plant. Well-developed roots are crucial for the survival of the plant, and phosphorus ensures that the roots of the plant are well developed.
Crop Maturity
Phosphorus ensures that the plant matures at the right time and ensures that the fruits and seeds produced are of high quality.
Gene Development
The process of gene formation and development is facilitated by the presence of phosphorus. It allows the proper transfer of genes from one generation to the next.
Plant Development
Phosphorous ensures that the plant is well developed and the steps and stalk of the plant stay strong. It also helps the plant resist pests and infections as the health of the plant is maintained.
Phosphorus Deficiency
Phosphorous deficiency is very hard to spot. Since phosphorus is required from the beginning of the development of the plant, a lack of deficiency may cause problems like stunted growth.
It delays the time required by the plant to mature, and the fruits and seeds produced by the plant are of low quality. So, the damage caused by phosphorus deficiency is permanent, and hence it is best to treat the problem as soon as it is identified.
Solution
Phosphorous deficiency mainly occurs due to a lack of nutrients in the soil that the plant is growing in.
The best way to cope with this nutrient deficiency is to provide the plant with a fertilizer enriched in phosphorus. It allows the plant to obtain the phosphorus required by the plant for its proper growth.
However, adding excess phosphorus in the soil may run off to the water bodies and form a threat to the marine animals.
Thus, plants do need phosphorus to grow strong and healthy.