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Name: Maddie
Status: student
Grade: 6-8
Location: MD
Country: USA
Date: Spring 2010
Question:
Which nutrients are used right away and which are stored for later in a plant?


Replies:
In general, this is referred to as "nutrient allocation" or "resource allocation" in plants. Different plant species allocate nutrients to growth, storage, etc. differently depending upon the season, age of the plant, climate, etc. Generally though, nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are mainly used right away to promote growth. Sugars produced during photosynthesis are often stored in the roots as starch.

Also perhaps helpful:

http://planetveggiegarden.com/posts/fertilizer/npk-plant-macronutrients/

Anthony Brach
Missouri Botanical Garden
c/o Harvard University Herbaria


Click here to return to the Botany Archives

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