Which nutrient deficiency is likely to result in poor root development in plants?

Phosphorus is essential for healthy root development in plants, as it plays a critical role in energy transfer and the formation of DNA and RNA, which are vital for cell division and growth. A deficiency in phosphorus often leads to reduced root mass and an inability for plants to effectively uptake water and nutrients from the soil. This can manifest as stunted growth and poor overall plant health.

While sulfur, nitrogen, and potassium are also important nutrients for plant health, they play different roles. Sulfur is crucial for protein synthesis and enzyme function, but its deficiency mainly affects leaf and overall plant health rather than root development specifically. Nitrogen is vital for vegetative growth and green leafy structure but does not primarily drive root growth. Potassium is important for overall plant vigor and stress tolerance, aiding functions like water regulation and photosynthesis, but it is not as directly tied to root formation as phosphorus is. Therefore, phosphorus deficiency is the most significant when it comes to poor root development in plants.