If a plant is primarily limited by nitrogen and secondarily by phosphorus, according to Leibig's law of the minimum, under which circumstances would adding phosphorus increase the plant's growth rate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Leibig's law of the minimum, growth is controlled not by the total amount of resources available, but by the scarcest resource (limiting factor). In this case, if nitrogen (the primary limiting factor) is added first to alleviate its limitation, then adding phosphorus (the secondary limiting factor) can further increase the plant's growth rate.

If a Plant Is Primarily Limited by Nitrogen and Secondarily