Question

How is it possible to get a rough idea of the deficiency of an essential element in the soil without doing soil tests?

• A. Only by making detailed analysis of the ash of a plant growing in it.
• B. By noting the typical symptoms of deficiency shown by plant growing in it.
• C. By observing the physical texture of the soil.
• D. By determining the dry weight of the plant.

Answer 1

The correct option is B By noting the typical symptoms of deficiency shown by plant growing in it.

Plants obtain minerals from soil. If a mineral is deficient in soil, then it will be deficient in plants growing on that soil. However, plant deficiency symptom are difficult to interpret because usually a deficiency symptom may be caused due to deficiency of several mineral elements. Also deficiency of a single mineral element may give rise to multiple symptoms in plants. Also the deficiency symptoms vary from plant to plant and also vary with the age and other physiological variations. Hence, detailed analysis of plant ash can only reveal the nature of deficient mineral in a plant (and hence soil).