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Ch. 32 Plant Nutrition and Transport
Taylor - Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections 10th Edition
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTaylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th EditionCh. 32 Plant Nutrition and TransportProblem 8
Chapter 32, Problem 8

Certain types of fungi cause diseases in plants. There are a variety of antifungal sprays that can be used to control this problem. Some gardeners constantly spray their plants with fungicides, even when no signs of disease are evident. How might this be disadvantageous to the plant?

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Identify the potential negative impacts of overusing fungicides on plants, such as disrupting the natural balance of microorganisms on the plant surfaces.
Consider how the constant application of fungicides might lead to the development of fungicide-resistant strains of fungi, making future control of fungal diseases more difficult.
Explore the possibility that fungicides, while targeting harmful fungi, might also harm beneficial fungi that help in nutrient absorption and disease resistance.
Discuss how the chemicals in fungicides could accumulate in the soil, potentially affecting soil health and the plant's ability to absorb nutrients.
Reflect on the broader ecological impacts, such as the effects of fungicides on non-target organisms like insects and soil microbes that play a role in the ecosystem's health.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Fungal Pathogens

Fungal pathogens are microorganisms that can infect plants, leading to diseases that affect their growth, yield, and overall health. These pathogens can cause a range of symptoms, including wilting, discoloration, and decay. Understanding the life cycle and mechanisms of these fungi is crucial for effective disease management in agriculture.
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Antifungal Resistance

Antifungal resistance occurs when fungi evolve to withstand the effects of antifungal treatments, such as fungicides. This resistance can develop through genetic mutations or selective pressure from the repeated use of these chemicals. Over-reliance on fungicides can lead to a population of resistant fungi, making future treatments less effective and complicating disease management.
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Plant Health and Ecosystem Balance

Maintaining plant health involves not only controlling diseases but also ensuring a balanced ecosystem. Excessive use of fungicides can disrupt beneficial microorganisms in the soil and on plant surfaces, which play a role in nutrient cycling and disease suppression. This imbalance can weaken plants' natural defenses, making them more susceptible to diseases and negatively impacting overall biodiversity.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

An advantage of using fertilizers derived from natural sources is that these fertilizers

a. Have different minerals than artificial fertilizers.

b. Are retained in soil longer.

c. Are more soluble in water.

d. Are more concentrated.

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Textbook Question
Explain how guard cells limit water loss from a plant on a hot, dry day. How can this be harmful to the plant?
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Textbook Question

Transpiration is fastest when humidity is low and temperature is high, but in some plants it seems to increase in response to light as well. During one 12-hour period when cloud cover and light intensity varied frequently, a scientist studying a certain crop plant recorded the data in the table (top right). (The transpiration rates are grams of water per square meter of leaf area per hour.)

Do these data support the hypothesis that the plants transpire more when the light is more intense?

If so, is the effect independent of temperature and humidity?

Explain your answer. (Hint: Look for overall trends in each column, and then compare pairs of data within each column and between columns.)

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Textbook Question
If the apples you buy are labeled 'organic,' does that tell you anything about how they were grown? About the nutritional content of the apples?
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Textbook Question

Acid rain contains an excess of hydrogen ions (H+). One effect of acid rain is to deplete the soil of plant nutrients such as calcium (Ca²⁺), potassium (K⁺), and magnesium (Mg²⁺).

Offer a hypothesis to explain why acid rain washes these nutrients from the soil.

How might you test your hypothesis?

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Textbook Question
Agriculture is by far the biggest user of water in arid western states, including Colorado, Arizona, and California. The populations of these states are growing, and there is an ongoing conflict between cities and farm regions over water. To ensure water supplies for urban growth, cities are purchasing water rights from farmers. This is often the least expensive way for a city to obtain more water, and some farmers can make more money selling water than growing crops. Discuss the possible consequences of this trend. Is this the best way to allocate water for all concerned? Why or why not?
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