Which nutrients are most commonly managed in Delaware agricultural practices?

The most commonly managed nutrients in Delaware agricultural practices are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, often referred to as NPK. These nutrients are fundamental for plant growth and development. Nitrogen is crucial for vegetative growth and is a key component of chlorophyll, which plants use for photosynthesis. Phosphorus is important for root development, flowering, and overall plant energy transfer. Potassium plays a role in water regulation and enzyme activation within the plant.

Delaware's agriculture, which includes a variety of crops and livestock, relies heavily on these three nutrients to optimize yield and maintain soil health. Effective management practices focus on ensuring that these nutrients are supplied in appropriate amounts to meet the needs of crops while minimizing environmental impact, particularly concerns related to runoff and water quality, especially in areas like the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

While calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, copper, sodium, chlorine, and boron are also essential for plant health, they are typically required in much smaller quantities compared to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Their management is often secondary to the primary focus on NPK, which is why answer choice B is the most suitable in this context.