Discussion:

High agricultural yields depend strongly on fertilization with mineral nutrients. In fact,
yields of most crop plants increase linearly with the amount of fertilizer that they absorb (Loomis
and Conner 1992). To meet increased demand for food, world consumption of the primary
fertilizer mineral elements—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—rose steadily from 112
million metric tons in 1980 to 143 million metric tons in 1990 and has remained constant
through the last decade (Hopkins and Heiiner,2009).
Fertilizers that contain two or more mineral nutrients are called compound fertilizers or
mixed fertilizers, and the numbers on the package label, such as 10-14-10, refer to the effective
percentages of N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively, in the fertilizer. With long-term agricultural
production, consumption of micronutrients can reach a point at which they, too, must be added
to the soil as fertilizers. Adding micronutrients to the soil may also be necessary to correct a
preexisting deficiency(Taiz & Teiger, 2003).

Fertilizers application plays an important in the production of fruits and vegetables. Over-
application of fertilizers can slow down the growth and development of fruits and vegetables.
Pot 1 was watered with distilled water seemed to be effective for plants. The Tomato
plant measured at 13.7 inches in the 7th week while the Corn plant measured at 17 inches in the
7th week. Water sustains life, and is therefore important to all living organisms on our planet.
These include plants, which will wilt, become dry and die in the absence water.

The actual amount of water needed by a plant to grow will depend on the type of soil
used, the size of the pot, the species of the plant and the age of the plant. A soil’s water retention
properties will determine the amount of watering required. Soil that is poor in retaining water
will require more frequent watering, whereas soil that has good water retention properties will
require less frequent watering. The size of the pot is also important, as it determines the amount
of water that can be added to maintain the required soil moisture(Taiz & Teiger,2003).

Pot 2 contained organic fertilizer NPK(20-20-20) gave a good result. The Tomato plant
measured at 10.7 inches in the 7th week while the Corn plant measured at 10.2 inches in the 7 th
week.
Organic fertilizers, in contrast to chemical fertilizers,originate from the residues of plant
or animal life or from natural rock deposits. Plant and animal residues contain many of the
nutrient elements in the form of organic compounds. Before crop plants can acquire the
nutrient elements from these residues, the organic compounds must be broken down, usually
by the action of soil microorganisms through a process called mineralization. Mineralization
depends on many factors, including temperature(Taiz & Teiger, 2003).
Pot 3 contained vegetative fertilizer NPK(5-20-20) gave a good result. The Tomato plant
measured at 9 inches in the 7th week while the Corn plant measured at 8 inches in the 7th week.
 Pot 4 contained floral fertilizer NPK(5-20-20) gave an unsatisfactory result. The Tomato
plant measured at 2 inches in the 7th week while the Corn plant measured at 1 inch in the 7th
week.

Pot 5 contained Rhizobia. The Tomato plant measured at 13 inches in the 7th week while
the Corn plant measured at 12 inches in the 7th week.

Taiz & Teiger (2003) states that the rhizobia and the roots of the prospective host plant
establish a dialogue in the form of chemical messages passed between the two partners. Based
on studies carried out primarily with Glycine, Trifolium, and Pisum, asmany as nine or ten
separate developmental stages have been recognized.In order to simplify our discussion,
however, we will consider the events in four principal stages:
1. Multiplication of the rhizobia, colonization of the rhizosphere, and attachment to epidermal
and root
hair cells.
2. Characteristic curling of the root hairs and invasion of the bacteria to form an infection
thread.
3. Nodule initiation and development in the root cortex.This stage is concurrent with stage 1.
4. Release of the bacteria from the infection thread and their differentiation as specialized
nitrogen-fixing
Cells
Source:
Hopkins, W. G., & Hiiner, N. P. (2009). Introduction to Plant Physiology (4th ed.). New Jersey,
Hoboken: John & Wiley Sons.
Taiz, L., & Zeiger, E. (2003). Plant Physiology (3rd ed.). Sinauer Associates.