I'm no botanist...?

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Posted by Rosy on July 05, 2000 at 21:14:41:

In Reply to: Re: Is there a botanist in the house? posted by Denis Mosimann (Switzerland) on July 05, 2000 at 01:05:03:

Have there ever been studies done on how the trace minerals in plants affect the herbivores that eat them? Having kept African cichlids, I know that some of the more difficult ones need trace minerals similar to those in their lakes of origin added to their water in order to breed at peak levels. Theoretically couldn't the trace minerals tortoises and other herps get in the wild increase their health if provided in captivity?

: First of all, I'm biologist and think I can begin to answer you question...

: Yes, plants absorb their nutrients in the soil and of course in the nearly soil (that's the big difference between them and the animals). They also only can have what is found near them. So, if the soil contain heavy metals, ... the plant will aborb it and concentrate it. For example, green tea is a plant that can absord high level if toxics without problems (they store them in small "pocket" : sorry for my english!!!).
: So, much plants have different strategies to store the toxics and not to assimilate them (sometimes re-employ them for defense, ...).
: This was first. Second, yes, a plant that grows in US is n�t the same that a plant that grows in UK. The faculty to absorb better this or this nutrient is the same but the nutrient aren't the same. Another thing : the difference is not so big because for all nutrients, plants have different needs :
: - a minimum level : under this, the plant will die
: - a maximum level : over this, the plant will also die.
: - an optimum level : the growth is the best. This is found in the nature...
: So, the plant will not grow well if conditions aren't the same like in the nature... So the difference is not so big!!!

: Regards

: Denis Mosimann

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: Have there ever been studies done on how the trace minerals in plants affect the herbivores that eat them? Having kept African cichlids, I know that some of the more difficult ones need trace minerals similar to those in their lakes of origin added to their water in order to breed at peak levels. Theoretically couldn't the trace minerals tortoises and other herps get in the wild increase their health if provided in captivity? : : First of all, I'm biologist and think I can begin to answer you question... : : Yes, plants absorb their nutrients in the soil and of course in the nearly soil (that's the big difference between them and the animals). They also only can have what is found near them. So, if the soil contain heavy metals, ... the plant will aborb it and concentrate it. For example, green tea is a plant that can absord high level if toxics without problems (they store them in small "pocket" : sorry for my english!!!). : : So, much plants have different strategies to store the toxics and not to assimilate them (sometimes re-employ them for defense, ...). : : This was first. Second, yes, a plant that grows in US is n�t the same that a plant that grows in UK. The faculty to absorb better this or this nutrient is the same but the nutrient aren't the same. Another thing : the difference is not so big because for all nutrients, plants have different needs : : : - a minimum level : under this, the plant will die : : - a maximum level : over this, the plant will also die. : : - an optimum level : the growth is the best. This is found in the nature... : : So, the plant will not grow well if conditions aren't the same like in the nature... So the difference is not so big!!! : : Regards : : Denis Mosimann

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