Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Plant nutrients function as structural components of organic molecules, as enzyme cofactors, and as regulators of osmotic potential and cell turgor.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's pair each physiological process in List-I with its associated plant nutrient in List-II:
- (A) Specific inhibitor of acid phosphatase is Molybdenum (III): Molybdate anions act as competitive inhibitors of plant acid phosphatases, a useful property in biochemical research.
- (B) Activation of $\alpha$-amylase activity is associated with Chlorine (IV): Chloride ions ($\text{Cl}^-$) act as inorganic activators for amylases in plants, facilitating starch breakdown during seed germination.
- (C) Constituent of ascorbic acid oxidase is Copper (II): Ascorbate oxidase is a blue copper protein containing multiple copper centers that catalyze the oxidation of ascorbate to dehydroascorbate.
- (D) Accumulation of putrescine occurs under Potassium (I) deficiency: Potassium deficiency causes accumulation of the diamine putrescine, which serves as a physiological marker for potassium stress in plant tissues.
This sequence matches Option 2.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct match is (A) - (III), (B) - (IV), (C) - (II), (D) - (I).