Two experimental garden plots were each

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Two experimental garden plots were each planted with the same number of tomato plants. Magnesium salts were added to the first plot but not to the second. The first plot produced 20 pounds of tomatoes and the second plot produced 10 pounds. Since nothing else but water was added to either plot, the higher yields in the first plot must have been due to the magnesium salts.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) A small amount of the magnesium salts from the first plot leached into the second plot.

(B) Tomato plants in a third experimental plot, to which a high-nitrogen fertilizer was added, but no magnesium salts, produced 15 pounds of tomatoes.

(C) Four different types of tomatoes were grown in equal proportions in each of the plots.

(D) Some weeds that compete with tomatoes cannot tolerate high amounts of magnesium salts in the soil.

(E) The two experimental plots differed from each other with respect to soil texture and exposure to sunlight.

OA is E
I couldnt understand the full point of the writer here. Please I need an Experts view.

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by deloitte247 » Sun Jul 22, 2018 9:40 am
Option A - INCORRECT.
It is not possible for the magnesium salt to have leached into the second plot, because it is possible for the plots not to be in the same location.

Option B - INCORRECT.
This option is totally out of context with what is being argued. There is no comment on the third plot in this discussion, which makes this option invalid.

Option C - INCORRECT.
The amount of tomatoes in each plot was not mentioned, therefore this option weakens the argument herein.

Option D - INCORRECT.
Weeds are know to decrease the quantity of nutrient meant for a plant to grow by sharing the nutrients with the plant. Therefore it cannot tolerate high amounts of magnesium salts in the soil that is why the first plot was able to increase its productivity and the second was poor in productivity.

Option E - CORRECT.
This option has seriously weaken the argument but stand to be the best explanation to the reason why there is an increment and decrease in numbers of pounds produced according to the speaker. There is no much difference in the two experimental plots, the only difference sited is the magnesium salt added to the first plot and missing in the second plot, which has help to enhance the rapid growth and increment in produce of first plot compared to the second plot. However, the requirement for growing tomatoes remains the same, both the soil texture and exposure to sunlight aswell.