The Physiology of Plants - Essay Example

Red sorghum plants are less tasty than white sorghum plants.  However, red sorghum plants are beneficial to farmers in that birds are less likely to attack and eat them, and they make good beer. 

Sorghum plants are usually planted directly from the seeds in rows, and they are planted in the spring.  The plants grow in a variety of soils and are drought-resistant.  However, sorghum plants will grow better in soil that has been fertilized on the preset.

The characteristics of sorghum plants having originated in hot temperatures of Africa, being field crops, having the appearance of “cane-grass” and being drought resistant make the plants susceptible to stressful environments because the sorghum plants have the capability of being clustered together in a group, meaning that the plants are close enough where they can generate energy from the other plants.  Also, they have the appearance of “cane-grass” helping them to be tall enough to withstand and guard the neighboring plants from the harsh temperatures. 

Also, since the sorghum plants are drought-resistant, they can go without water for long periods.  This is especially useful in the hot climates of Africa because water may not be seen for long periods.

On the other hand, Soybean (Glycine max) plants originated on the continent of Asia, native to Southeast Asia.  However, 45 percent of the world’s soybean area and 55 percent of the production of the soybean plant is in the United States.  Soybeans are an important global crop that provides the world with both oil and protein. 

Soybean plants are from the family of Plantae, and they are annual “all-year” plants.  The cultivation of the plants is successful in climates with hot summers, ideal growing conditions are in the temps of 20 ºC to 30 ºC (68 ºF to 86 ºF).  The growth of soybean plants is slowed down significantly with temperatures of below 20 ºC (68 ºF) and over 40 ºC (104 ºF) unlike sorghum plants that are native to tropical and subtropical regions.

Soybean plants also vary in growth, habit, and height.  The pods, stems, and leaves of soybean plants are covered with fine, brown, or gray fur hairs.

When the flowers bloom on the soybean plants, they are white, pink, or purple in appearance.  However, the leaves fall off when the seeds are mature.

The characteristic of Soybean plants not being able to withstand too-low temperatures (below 68 ºF), and too-high temperatures (above 104 ºF) makes the species resistant to stressful environmental conditions because it would not be able to grow in an environment that had temperatures outside of its ideal range.