Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question tests knowledge of the discovery of molybdenum as an essential plant nutrient.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The essentiality of molybdenum for plants was discovered by A L Sommer and C P Lipman (A) in 1938.
Molybdenum is a micronutrient required for nitrate reductase and nitrogenase.
Other discoveries:
- D I Arnon and P R Stout (B): Discovered the essentiality of zinc, manganese, and copper.
- C Sprengle (C): Not related to molybdenum.
- G Gris and P H Brown (D): Not related to molybdenum.
Thus, Sommer and Lipman discovered molybdenum essentiality.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, the essentiality of molybdenum was discovered by A L Sommer and C P Lipman, which corresponds to option (A).
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