Identify what potassic (potash-based) fertilisers generally do NOT promote in crops, compared with nitrogenous fertilisers that primarily drive vegetative growth.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: stems & leaves during early stage of plant growth

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Nutrient roles differ: nitrogen encourages lush vegetative growth; phosphorus aids rooting and energy transfer; potassium enhances water regulation, enzyme activation, disease resistance, and improves starch and sugar formation. Distinguishing these roles helps avoid imbalanced fertilisation strategies.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Focus on potassic fertilisers (e.g., muriate of potash, sulphate of potash).
  • Trait comparisons include vegetative growth vs. quality attributes such as starch and sugar accumulation.


Concept / Approach:
Potassium is most associated with improved tuber filling, starch/sugar content, lodging resistance, and stress tolerance. Rapid early vegetative growth of stems and leaves is typically nitrogen-driven. Therefore, potassic fertilisers do not primarily promote early stems-and-leaves expansion; instead, they elevate quality and resilience characteristics.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Map nutrient to function: K → osmotic balance, enzyme activation, quality (starch/sugar), fiber strength.Contrast with N: promotes leafy biomass in early stages.Select the trait that is not K-driven: early stems & leaves.Confirm other listed traits are K-associated (starch, sugar, fiber strength).


Verification / Alternative check:
Agronomy guides cite K’s positive effect on tuber/grain filling and sugar content; N is cited for canopy expansion and leaf chlorophyll.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Starches of potatoes & grains, sugar of fruits & vegetables, fibrous materials: all align with potassium’s roles.
  • Tuber quality and disease resistance: also K-related benefits.


Common Pitfalls:
Overapplying nitrogen expecting quality improvements that are actually K-dependent, leading to soft tissue and disease susceptibility.


Final Answer:
stems & leaves during early stage of plant growth

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion