Final answer:
The statement suggesting that the process of fertilizer burn and nutrient absorption is the same but in reverse direction is false. Fertilizer burn is a result of osmotic stress, while nutrient uptake is a regulated process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the chemical process by which fertilizer burn occurs on the leaves and water and nutrients are absorbed by the roots is the same, albeit in a reverse direction, is false. Fertilizer burn happens when high concentrations of fertilizer salts draw moisture out of plant tissue via osmosis, leading to desiccation and damage, whereas nutrient absorption by roots involves the uptake of water and nutrients from the soil, which is generally a controlled and balanced process facilitated by the plant.
It is also worth mentioning that the correct answer to the provided reference question concerning the nitrogen cycle is d. Nitrification is the process by which ammonia (NH3) or ammonium ion (NH4+) is converted into nitrite (NO2-) and then nitrate (NO3-), and not the other way around as the false statement suggests.