short / Long answer type questions.
How would you determine whether or not a particular element is essential for plant growth and development?

Criteria to find whether the element is essential or not :

• The element must be a critical element for the growth of the plant. Without the element, the plant can not complete its life cycle or produce seeds.

• The element’s requirement must be specific and non-replaceable. The deficiency of the element cannot be compensated by any other element.

• The element should have a major role in the metabolism of the plant.