How Plants Manufacture Food (page 2 of 6)
The process of photosynthesis is the means by which plants manufacture food.
Plants assimilate carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, take up water and
nutrients from the ground and, in the presence of sunlight, produce
carbohydrates (CHOs) and oxygen, which the plant will then use for respiration,
growth, reproduction and storage. A plant will first use the food (CHOs) it
produces for respiration, followed by growth, then reproduction and finally
storage. Plants are unique organisms because they are self perpetuating as
depicted by the following formulas:
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As you can see, the products of photosynthesis are the inputs of respiration and
vice versa. It is important to remember that plants cannot photosynthesize
unless they have green, leafy materials (solar panels) above the ground to
absorb the sunlight. This is not to imply, however, that plants should not be
grazed if they are to reach their full growth potential. In fact, grazing is
beneficial to most grasses if applied properly. Grazing by livestock removes
older plant growth and stimulates tillering, allowing for increased new growth,
which is more photosynthetically efficient. With proper frequency, intensity
and season of grazing, most forages are indefinitely sustainable.
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