Plant nutrition

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for human health. But how can we source them sustainably? Professor Johnathan Napier of Rothamstead Research talks about the role that Omega-3 fatty acids play in our diets, how we currently source them from algae via fish, and how he hopes to use genetic engineering to breed plants that produce these molecules in their oils.

Interviews with scientists - feeding sub-Saharan Africa

This 5-minute video interview with Professor Giles Oldroyd offers a thought-provoking take on the topic of fertilisers and nitrogen fixation. In the west, we’ve spent 50 years relying on increasing food yields by adding nitrogen-based fertilisers to the soils. But it’s not an approach that seems to be working for the millions of smallholder farmers across western and central Africa.

Using Venus' Fly Trap in the Lab

One of the SAPS Star Plants, Darwin called the Venus' Fly Trap 'one of the most wonderful plants in the world'. Great for teaching about adaptation and interdependence.

Using Cress in the Lab

Cress seeds are cheap and easy to grow, and offer a useful way to look at the germination process.

Using Mung Beans in the Lab

Mung beans are cheap, reliable and easy to germinate, and offer a useful way to look at topics including plant growth, cells, plant nutrition and hydroponics.

Using Beetroot in the Lab

Beetroot make a useful and easily available resource for the science lab, for topics including cell structure, plasmolysis and membrane permeability.

Using Radishes in the Lab

Great little plants for the lab, radishes can be used for investigations covering plant growth, plant nutrition and phototropism.

Using Duckweed in the Lab

Duckweed make excellent subjects for students to use to develop investigations.

Using Sundews in the Lab

A SAPS 'Star Plant' for your lab, with a wonderful example of adaptation. Follow our care tips to ensure the plants flourish in your lab.

Using Living Stones (Lithops) in the Lab

One of the SAPS 'Star Plants' for your lab, showing an extreme form of adaptation. Follow our care tips to ensure that the plants flourish in your lab.

Using Pelargoniums (Geraniums) in the Lab

Geraniums are often found in the school lab, but they're rarely used to their full potential as a scientific resource. Follow our guidance and care tips to ensure they flourish in your lab.

Investigations into eutrophication

This brief resource gives five starter ideas for students and classes who want to investigate eutrophication, with options including using duckweed, algae and other plants.

Student Sheet 21 - Measuring the biomass of duckweed (Lemna minor)

A useful way to calculate the amount of duckweed in a pond or an aquarium.

Student Sheet 9 - Growing Radishes in Film Cans

Radishes provide a cheap and reliable way to carry out a number of investigations into plants, including nutrient requirements, effects of growing conditions, etc. This protocol outlines a simple method of growing radishes that can be used in the school lab.

How Science Works - What do plants need to grow?

This resource takes a lively approach to the advantages of growing plants hydroponically, and looks at the nutrients the plants will need.

How Science Works - Copper Pollution from Mines

This resource considers how pollution from copper mines affects growth of plants, including a data analysis activity and a practical.

'Fast Plants' - Rapid-Cycling Brassica Kits

Kits for 'fast plants' - follow the complete life-cycle of these fast plants in only half a term!

Investigating Fertilisers: the effects of minerals on plant growth

Fertilisers play a key role in increasing the productivity of food crops, whether that's tomatoes in a school greenhouse or vast fields of maize.In this SAPS Scotland Higher Still, students investigate the effects of different levels of minerals (nitrates, phosphates and potassium) on the growth of radishes. It generates plenty of quantitative results, suitable for analysis.

Video demo - Investigations with Venus' Fly Traps

In this activity, perfect for STEM science clubs, students investigate what causes a Venus' Fly Trap to shut its trap. These experiments are related to a series of investigations that Darwin carried out as part of his work on evolution and adaptation. A great activity for science clubs.

Articles tagged as "Plant nutrition"