Question

Which of the following is a common agricultural use of a mineral??

Answer 1

C The limestone lowers the acidity of the soil by neutralizing the acid in the soil because limestone is slightly basic and acids and bases neutralize each other.

Answer 2

Answer: Spreading limestone on crop fields to neutralize acidic soils.

Minerals are necessary for the growth of plants growing in an agricultural field. Plants obtain minerals from the soil. Minerals like potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen are required by the plants for their growth. Also, minerals are added to the soil of the agricultural field to maintain the pH of soil, which is desirable for specific crop growth. Limestone is a mineral useful for maintaining the pH of soil. It's primary component is calcium carbonate. It is basic in nature. It is added up to the soil to increase it's pH, with it's use soil acidity is reduced and alkalinity is increased. Therefore, it nutralize the acidic soil and makes it suitable for plant growth.