Do plants obtain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from the breakdown of soil mineral?

Plants do not obtain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from the breakdown of soil minerals. Instead, they primarily source carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis. During this process, they absorb CO2 from the air, which provides the carbon needed for organic compounds.

Hydrogen and oxygen are primarily acquired through water. While soil minerals do provide essential nutrients and certain elements, they do not contribute directly to the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that plants utilize for their metabolic processes. Thus, the assertion that plants obtain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from soil mineral breakdown is not accurate. The correct understanding of plant nutrition regarding these elements emphasizes the importance of air and water rather than relying on minerals.