question_answer 4)

Name at least five different deficiency symptoms in plants. Describe them and correlate with the concerned mineral deficiency. 

Answer:

The kind of deficiency symptoms shown in plants include chlorosis, necrosis, stunted plant growth, premature fall of leaves and buds, and inhibition of cell division. (i) Chlorosis is the loss of chlorophyll leading to yellowing in leaves. This symptom is caused by the deficiency of elements N, K, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Mo. (ii) Necrosis or death of tissue, particularly leaf tissue, is due to the deficiency of Ca, Mg, Cu, K. (iii) Lack or low level of N, K, S, Mo causes an inhibition of cell division. (iv) Some elements like N, S, Mo delay flowering if their concentration in plants is low.