Q8 / 200 · NEET 2007 · Botany
Which one of the following statements is correct?
- ABoth Azotobacter and Rhizobium fix atmospheric nitrogen in root nodules of plants.
- BCyanobacteria such as Anabaena and Nostoc are important mobilizers of phosphates and for plant nutrition in soil
- CAt present it is not possible to grow maize without chemical fertilizers
- Correct answerDExtensive use of chemical fertilizers may lead to eutrophication of nearby water bodies.
Solution
Rhizobium fix nitrogen in root nodules of legumes, while Azotobacter is a free-living nitrogen-fixing bacterium. Anabaena and Nostoc are not mobilisers of phosphates. Anabaena is a filamentous cyanobacteria, involved in nitrogen fixation. Extensive use of chemical fertilizers may lead to eutrophication of nearby waterbodies.
Related Theory
Eutrophication or more precisely hypertrophication, refers to enrichment of $a$ water body with nutrients, usually with an excess amount of nutrients. This process induces growth of plants and algae and, due to the biomass load, may result in oxygen depletion of the water body. For example, algal bloom.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.