A common bean plant is growing in a spot in a garden with variable nutrient availability in the surrounding soil.Some small soil patches contain large rocks, others contain sand, and still others contain animal droppings.What could the bean plant do to access the available nutrients most successfully?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most successful way for the common bean plant to access the available nutrients in the variable soil would be to increase the growth of roots toward the animal droppings, which are likely to contain a higher concentration of nutrients than the surrounding patches of soil. In this way, the roots would be able to absorb the available nutrients more efficiently and effectively. The other options provided, such as growing stems to prevent competing plants from growing or releasing allelopathic chemicals, may inhibit the growth of other plants, but they would not necessarily improve the bean plant's ability to access nutrients. Remodeling the shoot system or attracting ants would also not directly facilitate nutrient uptake.

A Common Bean Plant Is Growing in a Spot in a Garden