Chapter 35, Problem 1TYK

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Plant nutrition includes macronutrients and micronutrients. The plant is incapable of completing a regular life-cycle in the absence of these nutrients, as these elements are an essential part of plant constituents/ metabolites. There are several important nutrients from which plants must obtain their growing media such as, macronutrients and micronutrients. Some common example of the macronutrients include, calcium, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and magnesium.

Answer to Problem 1TYK

Correct answer:

Macronutrients and micronutrients are needed for plant development and nutrition. They take essential nutrients from the soil through their roots, and take oxygen through their leaves. All macronutrient and micronutrient perform distinct functions for their proper growth and development.

Explanation of Solution

Justification/explanation for the correct answer:

The statement that says, “They are essential for normal growth and development” is applicable to the plant micronutrients. This is because the deficiency of these micronutrients is known to cause stunting, discoloration, deformity, distress, and even death of plants.

Hence, option (e) is correct.

Explanation for the incorrect answer:

Option (a) is, the statement “They typically are not available in loams” is not applicable to plant micronutrients. Loam is the soil made up of sand size particles greater than 63 micrometers, silt size particles greater than 2 micrometers, and a minor quantity of clay, size less than 2 micrometers. Loam soil has high amount of minerals. They contain more moisture, nutrients, and hummus, and have better infiltration of air and water. Loam soil is suitable for growing most varieties of plants. The correct statement is “They typically are available in loams.” So, it is an incorrect option.

Option (b) is, the statement “They cannot be replaced by the use of fertilizers” is not applicable to the plant micronutrients. Fertilizers are substances of natural/ synthetic nature that are provided to the soil or to the plants, to supply essential plant nutrients that are necessary for their growth. Fertilizers may be natural or industrially synthesized. The correct statement is “They can be replaced by the use of fertilizers.” So, it is an incorrect option.

Option (c) is, the statement “They appear early on the periodic chart as compared to macronutrients” is not applicable to the plant micronutrients. There are several important nutrients that plants obtain from their growing medium, like macronutrients and micronutrients. It becomes clear from the periodic table that the plant micronutrients do not appear early on the periodic chart as compared to macronutrients. So, the correct statement is “They appear later on the periodic chart as compared to macronutrients”. So, it is an incorrect option.

Option (d) is, the statement “They are required in large amounts for normal metabolism” is not applicable to plant micronutrients. Plant micronutrients are usually required in a small amount for normal plant metabolism. Therefore, they are also known as trace minerals. So, the correct statement is “They are required in small/ trace amounts for normal metabolism.”

Hence, options (a), (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Thus, it can be concluded that the statement (e) is true according to the reason provided and the statements (a), (b), (c), and (d) are false.