Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Nitrogen deficiency in plants leads to chlorosis
Statement II: NPK in plants are regarded as non-essential nutrients
In the light of above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Hint:

Nitrogen is key for chlorophyll synthesis, and its deficiency causes yellowing (chlorosis) in older leaves. N, P, and K are the primary essential macronutrients, not non-essential.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Plant nutrient deficiencies cause specific visual symptoms based on the physiological role of the nutrient and its mobility within the plant.
Nutrients are classified as essential or non-essential based on their necessity for plant growth and reproduction.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement individually:
1. Statement I describes nitrogen deficiency.
Nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll, the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis.
Because nitrogen is highly mobile within the plant, when a deficiency occurs, nitrogen is translocated from older leaves to younger growing tissues.
This loss of chlorophyll causes older leaves to turn yellow, a condition known as chlorosis.
Thus, Statement I is correct.
2. Statement II describes NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium).
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the primary essential macronutrients required by all higher plants in large quantities.
They are essential for key structural, metabolic, and osmotic functions in plants, and cannot be replaced by other elements.
Therefore, classifying NPK as "non-essential" is incorrect.
Thus, Statement II is incorrect.
Therefore, Statement I is correct, and Statement II is incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer
Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.