Fertilizer generally contains nitrogen and phosphorus compounds required by plants. The nitrogen is often in the form of nitrates, and the phosphorus is in the form of phospates. Based on what you know about chemistry and water potential, why would overfertilizing lead to the death of a plant?
2007-04-05 06:35:33 · 3 answers · asked by Mike R 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
The fertilizers that you have in mind while framing the question are the INORGANIC CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS that usually come in granulated form in bags .
Such fertilizers ( as against organic / natural manures) are easily water soluble ( Like salt or sugar ) and that is the reason they can be taken up by the plant readily and their effect on the plant is seen in shorter time.
However , care should be taken while applying them to the soil / crop.
The manufacturers take due care while supplying them.
The figures on the bag ( 15 : 15 : 15 or 36: 36 : 0 ) indicate the PERCENTAGE amount of the N : P : K in the bag . That means rest of it is inert material that acts as a buffer against over fertilizing.
If a potted plant is supplied with concentrated salt solution ,it WILL wilt and die due to EXOSMOSIS .
That is what precisely happen if a plant / crop is given an excess dose of inorganic fertilizers.
Organic manures have no such danger as they are not readily water soluble and have long sustainability .
2007-04-09 00:26:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Over fertilizing would lead to dehydration of the plant. Because the external concentrations of chemical would be so high, water would leave the plant via osmosis in an effort to balance the concentration of chemicals.
2007-04-05 06:41:05 · answer #2 · answered by millercommamatt 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Too much fertilizer in the soil might actually cause more water to leave the plant's roots than the amount of water that enters the roots.
2007-04-05 06:45:59 · answer #3 · answered by ecolink 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋