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:
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:
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:
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
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