An essential element derived fromo soil only is called

Options

A. micronutrient
B. macronutrient
C. mineral element
D. macroelement

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Essential Elements**: Essential elements are nutrients required by plants for their growth and development. They are classified based on their quantity and role in plant metabolism.

2. **Identifying Sources of Essential Elements**: Essential elements can be derived from various sources. Some are obtained from the atmosphere (like carbon and oxygen), while others are derived from the soil.

3. **Categorizing Essential Elements**:
- **Macronutrients**: These are required in larger quantities and include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
- **Micronutrients**: These are required in smaller quantities and include elements like iron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and boron.

4. **Defining Mineral Elements**: Mineral elements refer specifically to the inorganic nutrients that plants absorb from the soil. They are crucial for various physiological functions in plants.

5. **Conclusion**: Since the question specifies an essential element derived from soil only, the correct term is "mineral element." This is because minerals are inorganic substances that plants take up from the soil to fulfill their nutritional requirements.

**Final Answer**: An essential element derived from soil only is called a **mineral element**.

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