Immunity
“The chemical gives off a sort
of SOS to the other plants to
alert them that this particular
insect is a bad guy.”
of a chance to create trouble. In this example the plants
might not know that every wasp is a menace, but they
would recognize the ones that had already eaten, limiting the damage from insects to just the initial attack and
avoiding any further damage. Quite fascinating. Research
has also shown that bacteria and fungi can also trigger
a variety of chemical warning signals, causing plants to
respond by increasing hormones in order to build up their
defense systems.
It is obvious that not only do plants have immune
systems, but that these systems are vital to their health
and productivity. If we want optimum health, vigor and
production from our crops, we need to help ensure that
they are given what they need to keep their immune
systems strong. This is why it is so important to examine
more than just the NPK of our fertilizers—micronutrients
also play a large part in supporting these plant functions.
For example, magnesium is one micronutrient that plays a
significant role in facilitating photosynthesis. In order for
the plant to synthesize chlorophyll, magnesium must be
present in sufficient amounts within the plant’s tissues. It is
also an enzyme activator.
The plant’s metabolism itself is an interwoven maze of
reactions that regulate and promote growth, health and
the im