1. Unit 9C and 9D Lesson 6 Fertilizers Objectives: to explain the importance of minerals to plants, to determine what plant fertilizers are made of, to describe which parts of plants are used by humans and animals.

2. Plant Food In addition to water and oxygen plants also need minerals to grow. Normally the plant will get its minerals from the soil. If the soil is poor in nutrients we can add fertilizer to the soil to help plants grow. Fertilizers have minerals in them necessary for plant growth. Most fertilizers are called NPK fertilizers as they have nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in them.

3. The Important Nutrients (NPK) Nitrogen (N): nitrogen is the main nutrient needed for plants. They need it to make their proteins so that they can grow. –Plants that are mostly leaf (like grass) need a lot of nitrogen. Phosphorous (P): helps the plant grow roots and flowers. –Plants that have grow from bulbs need a lot of phosphorous. Potassium (K): helps the plant to withstand extremes of weather and to fight disease.

4. Other Important Nutrients Calcium: to improve the growth of roots and shoots. Magnesium: to help seeds grow. Sulphur and Iron to help maintain a dark green colour.

5. Work to Do Read pages 88 and 89. Answer questions 1-8 page 89. Homework: –Complete –Define the following keywords: Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, fertiliser