Question

Which of the following non-metal is used for the manufacture of fertilizers?
(a) Chlorine
(b) Sulphur
(c) Phosphorus
(d) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Fertilizer is a substance which is added to soil to provide some essential nutrients, which could be lost due to any reason. It is important for the health of a plant. Fertilizers can either be organic or synthetic.

Complete step by step answer:
First, let us understand the term fertilizer.
A fertilizer is defined as “any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants”. It can either be natural (organic) or man-made (synthetic).
There are three primary nutrients that plants generally need in comparatively larger quantities, which is provided by fertilizers. This includes – Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, often known as ‘NPK’. It is present in almost every fertilizer.
Nitrogen (N) is necessary for chlorophyll production and protein synthesis. When nitrogen is deficient, plants develop yellow or pale leaves and growth is stunted.
Phosphorus (P), is vital for greater yield.
Potassium (K) is often needed in higher quantities than nitrogen. It regulates the plant’s water content and use.
Therefore, the answer is – option (c) – Phosphorus is a non-metal which is used for the manufacture of fertilizers.

Additional Information:
Other than primary nutrients plants also require –
Secondary nutrients – Calcium, Magnesium, Sulphur
Micronutrients – Boron, Copper, Iron, Molybdenum, Zinc, etc.

Note: Regardless of the proper nutrients being present in the soil, plants are sometimes unable to absorb some nutrients if the soil pH is too high or too low. For most plants, the favorable soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0. However, we cannot generalize this, it depends on the type of plant.