Austin’s soil composition is primarily that of a heavy clay. Clay soils have the unique property of absorbing and releasing water slowly. This phenomenon is primarily caused by the size of the pore space between the soil particles, leaving little room for gases that must be present for respiration. Without respiration, any plant will die.
Chlorophyll is a green pigment that makes it possible for plants to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose. During this process chlorophyll produces energy which powers growth and development. This also gives plants their distinctive green color. Technically, the chemical reaction of photosynthesis uses an equal number of carbon dioxide and water molecules to create the same number of oxygen and glucose molecules. This gas exchange takes place on the bottom sides of the foliage. The reaction only occurs if both chlorophyll and sunlight are present. As a photoreceptor, chlorophyll is sensitive to light of a certain spectrum that’s emitted by sunlight. This means it can capture the energy of visible light, mostly red and blue. Then it reflects the unneeded green light, giving plants their color. Respiration is the process in which plants use this stored energy. In this process, the plant actually takes in small amounts of oxygen and expels small amounts of carbon dioxide. This gas exchange takes place in the root zone and is necessary for this process to occur.
Chlorophyll is a green pigment that makes it possible for plants to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose. During this process chlorophyll produces energy which powers growth and development. This also gives plants their distinctive green color. Technically, the chemical reaction of photosynthesis uses an equal number of carbon dioxide and water molecules to create the same number of oxygen and glucose molecules. This gas exchange takes place on the bottom sides of the foliage. The reaction only occurs if both chlorophyll and sunlight are present. As a photoreceptor, chlorophyll is sensitive to light of a certain spectrum that’s emitted by sunlight. This means it can capture the energy of visible light, mostly red and blue. Then it reflects the unneeded green light, giving plants their color. Respiration is the process in which plants use this stored energy. In this process, the plant actually takes in small amounts of oxygen and expels small amounts of carbon dioxide. This gas exchange takes place in the root zone and is necessary for this process to occur.
A secondary problem associated with soggy/compacted soils, is the lack of aerobic bacteria. As the name suggests, this bacterium needs oxygen to survive. Aerobic bacteria is what actually breaks down organic matter, in the soil, releasing nitrogen. Aerobic bacteria feeds from carbon and releases nitrogen in the process. Technically plants produce their own food during photosynthesis. The nitrogen that is released during decomposition of organic matter is only one of the materials used in this process.
- Plants Must Have Food To Survive
- Plants Produce Food During Photosynthesis
- Plants Store Excess Energy As Starches
- Plants Convert Starches Back To Sugars To Be Used For Energy Through Respiration
- Photosynthesis Can’t Occur Without Chlorophyll
- Green Plant Color Comes From Chlorophyll
- Chlorophyll Can’t Be Produced Without Nitrogen
- Nitrogen Cannot Be Produced Without Aerobic Bacteria
- Aerobic Bacteria Can’t Live In Compacted/saturated Soils
- Respiration Requires The Exchange Of Gases From The Root System. (carbon Dioxide And Oxygen)
- Respiration Can’t Occur In Waterlogged Soils Because Water Has Displaced The Gases