Question

‘Dieback’ of citrus and ‘reclamation’ of legumes and cereals is due to deficiency of
a. Copper
b. Zinc
c. Sodium
d. Molybdenum

Answer 1

The cereals are described as the plants that yield edible grains such as rice, wheat, corn, barley, and oats. On the contrary, legumes are defined next to cereals. It is an important source of protein. They are flowering plants that have pods and consist of beans and peas.

Complete answer:
- Copper is described as an important micronutrient and involves in the lignification of a plant. Copper also provides stability to the plants.
- Copper is categorized as the main component of protein and enzyme. These collectively regulate the metabolic activities of the plant.
- The copper deficiency can reduce the lignification that turns leaves of the citrus plants wilt and brown colored and even dies. This condition is known as dieback of citrus.
- On the other side, copper deficiency stops seed maturity and causes chlorosis. This condition is described as the reclamation of legumes and cereals.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Additional information:
The bacteria of the genus Rhizobium are present on the root nodules of leguminous plants. These bacteria help in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.
Nitrogen fixation is the first step of the nitrogen cycle in which the inert atmospheric nitrogen is converted into the usable form, ammonia. Nitrogen fixation can be of the following types; atmospheric, industrial, and biological. In atmospheric nitrogen fixation, natural processes in the atmosphere, such as lightning, degrade atmospheric nitrogen into its oxides to be used by plants. Industrial nitrogen involves the formation of ammonia by reacting nitrogen with hydrogen. In biological nitrogen fixation, species like Rhizobium and blue green algae convert nitrogen into its usable forms in the soil.

Note: Macronutrients are required in higher quantities in the body that can also act as electrolytes. However, the recommended dose of micronutrients is milligram, which can be used in the cells and organs' major functions.