Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Essential mineral nutrients play specific physiological, structural, and biochemical roles in plant growth and metabolism.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us match each mineral element with its primary biological function:
(A) Molybdenum (Mo):
Molybdenum is a key component of the nitrogenase and nitrate reductase enzymes.
These enzymes are essential for nitrogen assimilation and biological nitrogen fixation by soil microbes.
Hence, (A) matches with (III).
(B) Manganese (Mn):
Manganese is essential for the water-splitting reaction (photolysis of water) in Photosystem II during photosynthesis.
This reaction oxidizes water to release oxygen gas.
Hence, (B) matches with (I).
(C) Magnesium (Mg):
Magnesium is the central atom in the porphyrin ring structure of chlorophyll molecules, making it essential for capturing light energy.
Hence, (C) matches with (II).
(D) Zinc (Zn):
Zinc is required for the biosynthesis of tryptophan, which is an essential precursor for the synthesis of the plant hormone auxin (Indole-3-acetic acid, IAA).
Hence, (D) matches with (IV).
Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct matching sequence is:
(A) - (III), (B) - (I), (C) - (II), (D) - (IV).
This matches Option (B).