If you have ever wondered why plants need air, you are not alone. It is a question that many people ask. After all, we breathe air, and so do animals, but why do plants need air, too?
It’s not just to breathe! The truth is that plants use air in several ways that are important for their survival. Air helps them grow and thrive above the ground, while the root system needs air below the ground.
In this blog post, we will discuss all the reasons why do plants need air and see how air is beneficial for the plants above the ground and below the ground separately so you can have a clear idea. So let’s get started.
Why Do Plants Need Air?
Air, a universal solvent and life-supporting gas, is the lifeblood of plant growth. It provides fresh oxygen, which helps a plant grow healthily with all its nutrients.
However, despite air’s abundance in our atmosphere, we often take it for granted as though there were never any day-to-day or seasonally shortages!
Earth has many factors that can disrupt availability, such as pollution resulting from human activity like burning fossil fuels emissions or other sources. These sources contribute towards increased concentration levels within certain areas on ground level reducing visibility/quality outdoor spaces.
Below are many reasons why do plants need air. Let’s discuss this in detail.
Reasons Why Air Is Beneficial For the Plant above the Ground
Air Helps Plants Growth and development
One of the most obvious ways that air helps plants grow is by providing them with carbon dioxide and oxygen. These gases are essential for plant growth and development. It helps to promote photosynthesis and respiration, which are two of the most crucial processes of a plant’s survival.
Air helps remove debris
Air helps remove the debris/dust on the surface of the leaves, so the pores of the leaves are cleared out, and the plants can exchange gases such as ‘carbon dioxide’ and ‘oxygen .
‘Removal of debris enhances the chemical processes/cellular activities going on in the plant, which plays a big role in developing the plant at a faster rate.
Air Prevents fungus in plants
The fungus can be a serious problem for plants, and one of the reasons for mold growth is lesser air circulation or high humidity levels. Air helps prevent mold from growing by providing plants with the oxygen they need to fight off the fungus.
Air Keeps Plants Cool
When it is hot outside, air can help to keep plants cool by providing them with evaporative cooling. Evaporative cooling occurs when water evaporates from the leaves of plants. This process helps cool the plant down and releases moisture into the air, which can help reduce humidity levels.
Air Can Help Plants Adapt to Change
When conditions change, such as when you move a plant from one location to another, air can help plants adapt more quickly. The air helps to speed up the process of photosynthesis, which allows plants to start producing food and energy faster.
Air Provides Support
Not only does air help plants to grow, but it also supports them. The wind can help to hold up tall plants and prevent them from toppling over in a storm.
Air Help Circulate Pesticides to Defend Plants against Pests
Air can also help plants to defend themselves against pests. The air helps to circulate pesticides and other chemicals that help to kill pests. It also helps to disperse the scent of these chemicals, which makes them less effective at attracting pests.
Reasons Why Air Is Beneficial For the Plant below the Ground
Air Helps Roots Grow
Roots need air just as much as leaves do. The roots of a plant are responsible for taking in water and nutrients from the soil. If the roots don’t have enough air, the plant gets stressed and will not function properly and fail.
Root failure is a common cause of oxygen-deprived roots. As roots are under the ground, that is why we are mostly unable to know what’s going on with the plant until the roots are closely observed.
Air Keeps Soil Healthy
Soil needs air to stay healthy. Without air, the soil will become compacted. The reason for this can be soil decay and overwatering.
When you overwater the plant, the air-packets of the soil are squeezed out as the soil is waterlogged and roots of the plant do not get the right amount of oxygen, leading number of problems.
But, the main reason can be oxygen-deprived roots or root failure, which causes hindrance in the development of a healthy plant.
Sometimes it may lead the plant to wilt, turning yellow or brown. Root failures can also result in the reduced lifespan of the plant, or in severe cases; it may even die.
Air is needed in the germination process
One of the important factors of the seed germination process is oxygen. As water, air present in the soil is responsible for providing oxygen to the seed.
The air’s oxygen helps the seed break down the food stored. This breakdown of food releases energy that helps the seed to provide strength to grow and develop into a plant.
Conclusion
I hope you may have got your answer to why do plants need air. There are many reasons why air is beneficial for plants.
Air plays an important part in the growth and development of plants while providing support, helping root development, giving an essential element (oxygen) and compound (carbon dioxide) to carry out photosynthesis and respiration.
If you want your plants to thrive, make sure they have plenty of air. But here, it must be noted that air-circulation also plays an important part. If the air is stagnant, it will not only be detrimental for the plants it will promote the growth of fungus.
Hence, it is important to have good air circulation in your home or office where you have kept your plants-They need air just as much as we do, so make sure they get plenty of it. Please share your comments and let us know your views.