sundrew grow in oligotrophic soil with little nitrates what they can get from their soil they need to supplment with what they catch in order to be able to grow.
nitrates - are used within the plants to synthesis amino acids, proteins and peptides without these the plant would not be able to grow and become stunted. in a natural environment this would prevent it from being able to compete with other plant species resulting in death and local extinction from the environment.
In ordinary soil a sundew does not need any extra nitrates. In poor soil the plant can catch and digest its own supply of nutrient rich insects.
because they grow on poor soil
Sundew plants have adapted to living in wet moorland that have an acid PH. Unlike other plants, sundew get their nutrients by capturing flies that stick to them and are then absorbed into the plant.
The useful mineral nutrients for plants is NITRATES and PHOSPHATES.
Sundew plants have adapted to living in wet moorland that have an acid PH. Unlike other plants, sundew get their nutrients by capturing flies that stick to them and are then absorbed into the plant.
Nitrogen available to plants as Nitrates supplies the wherewithall for plants to produce foliage.
For some experiments, Sundew plants are grown in sand to demonstrate the ability of the roots to absorb nutrients such as Nitrates from it's surroundings. Sand is used as pure silicon sand has no natural nutrients and therefore it is possible to add or not add Nitrate based plant foods to each specimen. Thus proving the roots absorption in a fair experiment.
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Venus Fly Trap, Pitcher plants, sundew
Drosera is the genus of sundew plants. There are four species of this plant.
The sundew is a secondary consumer. It consumes insects which eat plants and other insects.It is also a producer. It makes its own food, trapping insects to get the needed nutrients for photosynthesis.
No, animals can also convert nitrates into proteins through the process of digestion. When animals consume plants containing nitrates, their intestinal flora convert the nitrates into proteins that can be used by the animal.