Which of the following is listed as macro nutrients?

Which of the following is listed as macro nutrients?

• A. Phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium
• B. Oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon
• C. Carbon, nitrogen, iron and copper
• D. Sodium, chlorine, iron, zinc

Answer: (C)

Macronutrients are the elements plants need in the largest amounts for growth and metabolism. Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are all widely recognized as macronutrients because they play fundamental roles in energy transfer and root development (phosphorus), water regulation and enzyme activation (potassium), cell wall structure and signaling (calcium), and chlorophyll structure and enzyme function (magnesium). Iron and copper, by contrast, are micronutrients required in much smaller amounts and are not considered macronutrients, so a list including them isn’t a pure macronutrient set. Sodium and chlorine can be essential for some plants but aren’t universally treated as macronutrients, and carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are major structural elements that plants obtain largely from air and water; while essential, they’re often discussed separately from the soil macronutrient category. Therefore, the option listing phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium best fits the idea of macronutrients.

Macronutrients are the elements plants need in the largest amounts for growth and metabolism. Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are all widely recognized as macronutrients because they play fundamental roles in energy transfer and root development (phosphorus), water regulation and enzyme activation (potassium), cell wall structure and signaling (calcium), and chlorophyll structure and enzyme function (magnesium). Iron and copper, by contrast, are micronutrients required in much smaller amounts and are not considered macronutrients, so a list including them isn’t a pure macronutrient set. Sodium and chlorine can be essential for some plants but aren’t universally treated as macronutrients, and carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are major structural elements that plants obtain largely from air and water; while essential, they’re often discussed separately from the soil macronutrient category. Therefore, the option listing phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium best fits the idea of macronutrients.