Several studies indicate that environmental conditions dictate plant biomass allocation; plants grown in infertile soils will allocate more energy into ________ biomass.
A) leaf
B) stem
C) root
D) flower
E) seed

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When plants are grown in infertile soils, they allocate more energy into root biomass as a survival strategy to increase access to water and nutrients in the soil. This allows the plant to grow deeper roots to explore more soil volume for nutrients and water, and also to establish a stronger root system to support the aboveground biomass. Studies have shown that in fertile soils, plants tend to allocate more energy into aboveground biomass production such as leaves and stems, compared to in infertile soils where energy allocation shifts towards root production. Therefore, option C) root is the best choice for this question.

Several Studies Indicate That Environmental Conditions Dictate Plant Biomass Allocation;