Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I):Translocation of sugars is increased in K deficient plants
Statement (II):Potassium is taken by crops as chelates from the soil solution
In light of the above statements,choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false.
• C. Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false.
• D. Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true.

Hint:

Macronutrient cations like \( \text{K}^+ \), \( \text{Ca}^{2+} \), and \( \text{Mg}^{2+} \) are absorbed as free hydrated ions.
Only micronutrient transition metals are typically absorbed or applied as organic chelates.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Potassium (\( \text{K}^+ \)) is an essential macronutrient that plays a key role in plant physiology.
It is involved in osmoregulation, enzyme activation, stomatal movement, and the translocation of photosynthates.
Understanding the form in which nutrients are absorbed is essential for studying plant nutrition.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Statement (I): Potassium is essential for the translocation of sugars (sucrose) from source leaves to sink organs (roots, tubers, fruits) through the phloem.
In potassium-deficient plants, this translocation process is severely inhibited.
This inhibition causes sugars to accumulate in the leaves, reducing photosynthesis through feedback inhibition.
Therefore, sugar translocation is *decreased* (not increased) in K-deficient plants. Thus, Statement (I) is false.
- Statement (II): Potassium is a monovalent alkali metal cation.
Unlike transition metal micronutrients (like Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu), potassium does not form stable coordinate covalent complexes or chelates with organic ligands.
It is absorbed by plant roots as the free, hydrated inorganic cation \( \text{K}^+ \) from the soil solution. Thus, Statement (II) is false.
Therefore, both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false.