Which of the following is a macronutrient?

• A. Iron
• B. Zinc
• C. Nitrogen
• D. Manganese

Answer: (C)

Nitrogen is a macronutrient because plants require it in relatively large amounts to build essential components like amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll, which drives overall growth and green leaf development. In fertilizers, macronutrients are supplied in higher quantities, with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur forming the core needs for growth. Adequate nitrogen promotes lush, vigorous foliage, while a deficiency leads to pale, stunted plants. The other elements listed—iron, zinc, and manganese—are micronutrients, required in much smaller quantities and mainly support specific enzyme functions and chloroplast processes. Their roles are crucial, but they don’t demand the large amounts that nitrogen does.