Question

Plants need nitrate ions in order to make proteins. A plant is growing in soil flooded water. Explain why the plant cannot absorb enough nitrate ions.

Answer 1

Plants need nitrogen in order to form amino acids and absorb this in the form of nitrates from the soil. They do this with the help of their roots. In a waterlogged environment, roots start to decompose due to the lack of oxygen. This affects their nitrate absorption capacity and plant growth is stalled.