Select the incorrect statement w.r.t criteria of essentiality of minerals

Options

A. Element must be necessary for normal growth and reproduction
B. Element must be replaceable by another element
C. Disorders caused by the absence/ deficiency of an element can be corrected only by adding that specific element.
D. Element must be directly involved in plant metabolism

Answer

To solve the question regarding the incorrect statement with respect to the criteria of essentiality of minerals, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Criteria of Essentiality of Minerals**:
- There are specific criteria that define whether a mineral is essential for plant growth. These include:
- The element must be necessary for normal growth and reproduction.
- The element must not be replaceable by another element.
- A disorder caused by the absence of the element can only be corrected by adding that specific element.
- The element must be directly involved in plant metabolism.

2. **Analyze Each Statement**:
- **Statement 1**: "Element must be necessary for the normal growth and reproduction."
- This is correct as it aligns with the first criterion.
- **Statement 2**: "Element must be replaceable by another element."
- This is incorrect because essential minerals cannot be replaced by other elements.
- **Statement 3**: "Disorder caused by the absence of deficiency of an element can be corrected only by adding that specific element."
- This is correct as it follows the third criterion.
- **Statement 4**: "Element must be directly involved in the plant metabolism."
- This is also correct as it corresponds to the fourth criterion.

3. **Identify the Incorrect Statement**:
- From the analysis, the second statement is the only incorrect one. It contradicts the criteria that essential minerals cannot be replaced by other elements.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the answer to the question is that the second statement is incorrect.

### Final Answer:
The incorrect statement with respect to the criteria of essentiality of minerals is: "Element must be replaceable by another element."

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