Which symptom describes nitrogen deficiency?

Which symptom describes nitrogen deficiency?

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

Answer: (A)

Nitrogen is a mobile nutrient in plants, so when it’s in short supply the plant remobilizes what’s available to the new growth and pulls nitrogen out of the older leaves. That means the older leaves turn yellow first while the new leaves stay relatively greener. This pattern—yellowing starting with the oldest leaves—is a classic sign of nitrogen deficiency. By comparison, iron deficiency shows yellowing between the veins with the veins remaining green, browning margins are more typical of potassium issues or stress, and wilting points to water stress or root problems rather than a nitrogen shortage. So the symptom described best fits nitrogen deficiency.

Nitrogen is a mobile nutrient in plants, so when it’s in short supply the plant remobilizes what’s available to the new growth and pulls nitrogen out of the older leaves. That means the older leaves turn yellow first while the new leaves stay relatively greener. This pattern—yellowing starting with the oldest leaves—is a classic sign of nitrogen deficiency.

By comparison, iron deficiency shows yellowing between the veins with the veins remaining green, browning margins are more typical of potassium issues or stress, and wilting points to water stress or root problems rather than a nitrogen shortage. So the symptom described best fits nitrogen deficiency.