Question:

Which of the following is a secondary essential plant nutrient ?

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Remember the secondary nutrients with the acronym 'Ca-Mg-S' (Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur), which are essential macronutrients but classified as secondary.
  • Potassium
  • Zinc
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Plants require 17 essential elements for their growth and development.
These essential nutrients are classified into macronutrients (needed in large quantities) and micronutrients (needed in trace amounts).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze the classification of essential plant nutrients:
1. Macronutrients are further subdivided into:
- Primary Macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). These are needed in the largest amounts and are most commonly added as fertilizers.
- Secondary Macronutrients: Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S). These are essential but are generally required in moderate quantities compared to primary nutrients.
2. Micronutrients include Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), Chlorine (Cl), and Nickel (Ni).
Evaluating the options:
- Potassium is a primary nutrient.
- Zinc and Manganese are micronutrients.
- Magnesium is a secondary essential nutrient. It plays a critical role as the central atom of the chlorophyll molecule, making it vital for photosynthesis.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Magnesium is a secondary essential plant nutrient, corresponding to option (D).
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