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Difficulty: EasyPlant Nutrition and Photosynthesis

Match each essential plant mineral element on the left with its corresponding deficiency symptom on the right.

  • MagnesiumInterveinal chlorosis appearing first in mature, older leaves
  • NitrogenGeneral chlorosis across the plant accompanied by severely stunted growth
  • PhosphorusPurplish discoloration on leaves and poor, underdeveloped root systems
  • IronInterveinal chlorosis appearing predominantly in young, developing leaves

Answer

Magnesium matches with interveinal chlorosis in mature older leaves; Nitrogen matches with general chlorosis and stunted growth; Phosphorus matches with purplish leaf discoloration and poor root development; Iron matches with interveinal chlorosis in young developing leaves.
Each mineral nutrient plays a distinct biochemical role in plants. Magnesium is the central element in chlorophyll and is mobile, so its deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis in mature leaves. Nitrogen is needed for structural proteins, causing general chlorosis and growth stunting. Phosphorus is crucial for ATP and nucleic acids, producing purple leaf pigmentation and poor root growth. Iron acts as an immobile enzyme cofactor for chlorophyll synthesis, so its deficiency appears in young leaves.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the role and mobility of Magnesium.
Magnesium forms the structural center of chlorophyll. As a mobile element, deficiency symptoms appear in mature, older leaves first.
Mobile nutrients are exported from older tissues to nourish growing tips when soil supply is low.
2
Determine the role and deficiency manifestations of Nitrogen.
Nitrogen is required for proteins and nucleic acids, leading to general yellowing (chlorosis) and poor stem/leaf development.
Lack of nitrogen restricts overall cellular division and protein synthesis.
3
Analyze the impact of Phosphorus deficiency.
Phosphorus is required for energy transfer (ATP) and cell membranes; deficiency causes purple anthocyanin pigment accumulation and stunted roots.
Disrupted sugar metabolism due to low phosphate leads to pigment synthesis.
4
Determine the role and mobility of Iron.
Iron is required for enzymes involved in chlorophyll synthesis. Since iron is immobile, deficiency causes chlorosis in newly emerging leaves.
Immobile elements cannot be remobilized from mature leaves to young leaves.

Key Concept

Plant Mineral Nutrition and Deficiency Symptoms
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Topics

Plant Nutrition and Photosynthesis

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