Which symptom describes iron deficiency?

Which symptom describes iron deficiency?

• A. Yellow tissue between veins, veins green
• B. Yellowing of older leaves first
• C. Browning margins
• D. Wilting

Answer: (A)

Iron deficiency shows as chlorosis in the new growth, specifically yellow tissue between the veins while the veins remain green. This happens because iron is required for chlorophyll production, and when it’s limited, new leaves can’t synthesize chlorophyll properly. Iron is relatively immobile within the plant, so deficiency shows up first in the newest leaves, giving that interveinal yellow pattern with green veins. In contrast, yellowing of older leaves first points to a mobile nutrient deficiency (like nitrogen), where older leaves lose green color before new growth. Browning margins can result from leaf scorch, drought, or potassium deficiency, and wilting signals water stress or root problems rather than a nutrient-deficiency pattern.

Iron deficiency shows as chlorosis in the new growth, specifically yellow tissue between the veins while the veins remain green. This happens because iron is required for chlorophyll production, and when it’s limited, new leaves can’t synthesize chlorophyll properly. Iron is relatively immobile within the plant, so deficiency shows up first in the newest leaves, giving that interveinal yellow pattern with green veins.

In contrast, yellowing of older leaves first points to a mobile nutrient deficiency (like nitrogen), where older leaves lose green color before new growth. Browning margins can result from leaf scorch, drought, or potassium deficiency, and wilting signals water stress or root problems rather than a nutrient-deficiency pattern.