Which one of the following is not an essential mineral element for plants

Options

A. Fe
B. Mn
C. Cd
D. P

Answer

To determine which of the following is not an essential mineral element for plants, we will analyze each option provided.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Options**: The options given are:
- Iron
- Manganese
- Cadmium
- Phosphorus

2. **Analyze Iron**:
- Iron is an essential mineral element for plants.
- It plays a crucial role in the synthesis of chlorophyll and is involved in various metabolic processes, including nitrate and sulfate production.

3. **Analyze Manganese**:
- Manganese is also an essential micronutrient for plants.
- It is important for growth and development and helps sustain metabolic rates.

4. **Analyze Cadmium**:
- Cadmium is not an essential mineral for plants.
- In fact, it is a heavy metal pollutant that can hinder the uptake and transport of essential nutrients and water, making it harmful to plants.

5. **Analyze Phosphorus**:
- Phosphorus is an essential mineral element for plants.
- It is vital for energy transfer, photosynthesis, and the movement of sugars and starches within the plant.

6. **Conclusion**:
- From the analysis, we can conclude that Iron, Manganese, and Phosphorus are essential minerals for plants, while Cadmium is not.

### Final Answer:
**Cadmium** is not an essential mineral element for plants.

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