Part 2 of the lecture will specifically focus on the role of nutrition in supporting plant defences. Some nutrients support the plants primary or physical defences by increasing cell wall strength or reinforcing the rigidity of the epidermis. Other nutrients are important for the production of defence chemicals which can be systemically translocated throughout the plant and form part of the plants secondary defence system. Nitrogen is a particularly important example which will be discussed in detail, of course it helps drive yield but over application can also weaken plant defences, consequently, careful nitrogen management becomes an important focus in plant health discussions.

(Part 1 at 14:00)