Question

Which of the following is/are the criteria required for the essentiality of an element in plants?

• A. The element must be directly involved in the metabolism of the plant
• B. The element must be absolutely essential for growth and reproduction
• C. The requirement of the element is specific and cannot be replaced by another element
• D. All of these

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of these

Minerals are required by the plants for their proper growth and development. Plants absorb minerals from the soil which is a reservoir of nutrients. The elements that are essential to plants have to fulfil certain criteria.
The criteria for the essentiality of elements is:
1. It should be directly involved in metabolism
2. It should be essential for both growth and reproduction and in its absence, the plant cannot complete its life cycle and set seeds.
3. Its requirement is specific and cannot be replaced by another element.