Previous Year Question
From where do plants mainly obtain their nutrients?
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Plants absorb water and essential mineral nutrients from the soil through their roots. The absorbed minerals are then transported to other parts of the plant through the xylem.
Essential mineral nutrients required by plants include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur, which are generally obtained from the soil.
Important fact: The term “nutrients” in the question is broad. Plants do not obtain all essential substances only from soil—carbon is obtained mainly from atmospheric CO₂, while light provides energy. However, among the given options, soil is the correct answer as the principal source of mineral nutrients. Plants require both macro and micro mineral nutrients for their growth.