What do plants need from the soil?

Answer 1

Plants need the protective cover of soil in order for their roots to grow. Specifically, soil keeps roots from being damaged by excessive, unfiltered heat, light and winds.

Plants also need the nutrients and water of soil, for overall growth. Nutrients and water from the soil are taken up through the roots, and into the shoots, for participation in photosynthesis. Photosynthesis makes possible the transformation of food from soil into the sugary and starchy energizers by which plant activities such as leafing, fruiting, and flowering are carried out.

Additionally, plants need the life of the soil food web. For example, plant roots send exudates, which are the waste products of plant processes, into the soil. Plants need soil organisms to control exudate accumulations in soil. As another example, nitrogen fixing bacteria and nematodes within the soil turn present but unavailable nitrogen into the soluble forms that plant roots need for intake.

Answer 2

Plants need nutrients, water, aeration, and support from the soil to grow and thrive. Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are essential for plant growth, while water is necessary for various biological processes. Aeration helps roots access oxygen, and soil provides support for plant roots to anchor themselves and grow.