In which of the following industry is rock phosphate used?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — B, Fertilizer industry. Rock phosphate (phosphorite) is a phosphate-rich sedimentary rock that is the principal raw material for manufacturing phosphatic fertilizers — such as single super phosphate (SSP) and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) — which supply phosphorus (P), one of the three primary plant nutrients (N-P-K), to crops.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) The textile industry's key raw materials are fibres (cotton, jute, silk, synthetic polymers) and dyes/chemicals — not rock phosphate.  (c) The sugar industry processes sugarcane/sugar beet into sugar and by-products; it has no use for rock phosphate as an input.  (d) The paper industry's core raw materials are cellulose fibre sources (wood pulp, bamboo, bagasse) and bleaching chemicals — not rock phosphate.

Concept: Rock phosphate (phosphorite) is a phosphate-rich sedimentary mineral; it is the principal raw material for manufacturing phosphatic fertilizers, essential for supplying phosphorus — a primary plant nutrient — to crops.

State PCS 2024 Q53 — Geography PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2024 Q53 — Geography PYQ with Answer