Step 1: Understanding the Concept
Nitrogen exists in the air as \(\text{N}\equiv\text{N}\) (dinitrogen).
Step 2: Reason
The triple covalent bond is very strong and needs a large amount of energy to break, so dinitrogen is not usable directly by plants.
Plants therefore take nitrogen in combined forms such as nitrate (\(\text{NO}_3^{-}\)) and ammonium ions.
Step 3: Compare the options
The strong triple covalent bond is given in option (D).
Final Answer:
Nitrogen has a strong triple covalent bond, so plants use nitrates.
\[ \boxed{\text{(D) }\text{has a strong triple covalent bond}} \]