Which mineral nutrients are called critical element for crops?

Options

A. N, P, K
B. C, H, O
C. N, S, Mg
D. K, Ca, Fe

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Essential Elements**:
- Plants require a total of 17 essential elements for their growth and development. These elements are categorized into two groups based on the quantity required: macronutrients and micronutrients.

2. **Macronutrients vs. Micronutrients**:
- Macronutrients are required in larger amounts and include elements such as Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.
- Micronutrients are required in smaller quantities and include elements such as Zinc, Copper, and Manganese.

3. **Identifying Critical Elements**:
- Among the essential elements, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium are particularly important. They are required in the largest amounts by crops.

4. **Reason for Being Critical**:
- These three elements (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) are frequently deficient in the soil. Their deficiency can limit plant growth and yield, making them critical for crop production.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the mineral nutrients that are called critical elements for crops are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

### Final Answer:
The critical elements for crops are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

---