Number of essential elements in plants is

Options

A. 10
B. 17
C. 20
D. 22

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Essential Elements**: Essential elements are minerals that plants require for their growth and development. These elements are crucial for various physiological and biochemical processes in plants.

2. **Categories of Essential Elements**: The essential elements in plants are divided into two main categories: macronutrients and micronutrients.

3. **Macronutrients**: These are the elements required by plants in larger quantities. The macronutrients include:
- Carbon (C)
- Oxygen (O)
- Hydrogen (H)
- Nitrogen (N)
- Potassium (K)
- Calcium (Ca)
- Phosphorus (P)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Sulfur (S)
- Iron (Fe)
- (Note: While Iron is often classified as a micronutrient, it is mentioned here for context; the primary macronutrients are typically 6-8.)

4. **Micronutrients**: These are the elements needed by plants in smaller amounts. The micronutrients include:
- Chlorine (Cl)
- Manganese (Mn)
- Boron (B)
- Zinc (Zn)
- Copper (Cu)
- Molybdenum (Mo)
- Nickel (Ni)

5. **Total Count of Essential Elements**: Adding the macronutrients and micronutrients together gives us the total number of essential elements required by plants:
- Macronutrients: 10
- Micronutrients: 7
- Total = 10 + 7 = 17

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the total number of essential elements in plants is 17.

**Final Answer**: The number of essential elements in plants is 17.

---