What nutrient is known to affect root growth and overall plant stability?

Calcium is vital for root growth and overall plant stability due to its role in the structural integrity of plant cells. It contributes to the formation of cell walls and is essential for maintaining cell wall stability and permeability. This helps facilitate better root development and enhances resistance to stress conditions, leading to a more robust and stable plant system. Calcium also aids in the physiological processes of plants, including hormone signaling and nutrient uptake, allowing for healthy growth and development.

In contrast, while phosphorus is crucial for energy transfer and root development, calcium's specific structural role delivers additional benefits that are critical for stability. Nitrogen primarily supports leaf and stem growth and is essential for photosynthesis, while potassium plays a role in regulating water movement and enzyme functions but does not have the same level of impact on root structure as calcium.