Plants can absorb nutrients directly from dust through their leaves, reshaping how scientists understand plant nutrition in dry regions. Gardeners are often told how important nutrients are to plants. But what is a nutrient, actually?

Context Explanation

“Nutrients are the chemical elements that plants need to build their tissues and operate their life ... Research in New Phytologist shows that plants can acquire nutrients not only from the soil but also from atmospheric dust that settles and dissolves on their leaves, releasing elements such as ... A Rutgers-led team has discovered how plants harness microbes in soil to get nutrients, a process that could be exploited to boost crop growth, fight weeds and slash the use of polluting fertilizers ... The Times of India: Plants ‘eating’ dust: New research could change how we understand survival In terms of plant nutrition, the root system is traditionally viewed as the main access point to nutrients.

Insight Material

Ground-breaking research, however, has dem. Healthy plant growth and reproduction require 17 nutrients. Of these, carbon (C), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H) are derived mainly from the atmosphere and water. Soil minerals and/or soil organic ... EurekAlert!: How do plants and the root microbiota interact with each other in nutrient utilization?

Final Conclusion