Which are limiting nutrients for plant growth? water and nitrogen nitrogen and carbon carbon and phosphorus phosphorus and nitrogen

The correct answer is option (D) phosphorus and nitrogen.

The nutrients required by the plants in large amounts are called the macronutrients like the nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus etc,. The nutrients required by the plants in traces are called the micronutrients and include the sodium, cobalt etc,. Some of the macronutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen can limit the growth of the plant in their absence and hence are called the limiting nutrients of plant growth.

Nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll and plays an important role in the production of leaves as well as the synthesis of organic compounds by the leaves during photosynthesis. It is a major component of proteins which even act as enzymes catabolizing major metabolic activities in plants. It is a component of the energy tranfer compound called the adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It is also an integral part of the DNA which forms the genetic material of the plants.

Phosphorus is an important component of ATP serving the process of photosynthesis , transport of nutrients and other metabolic processes in plants. It is a component of the genetic material of the plants. It is also required for flower formation and seed production, healthy root and stem development as it is important in cell division and new tissue formation.

for  example, forests have higher evapotranspiration than other ecosystems,  such  as grasslands, because of their deeper roots and greater leaf area. thus forests have a net moistening effect on the atmosphere and become a moisture source for downwind ecosystems.