What are common signs of iron deficiency in plants?

• A. Interveinal chlorosis in young leaves.
• B. Yellowing of older leaves only.
• C. Necrotic spots on mature leaves.
• D. Reduced leaf size.

Answer: (A)

Iron deficiency shows up first in the new, growing parts of the plant because iron is not easily moved from older tissues to new growth. Without enough iron, chlorophyll can’t form properly, so the areas between the veins in the young leaves turn pale or yellow while the veins stay green. This interveinal chlorosis in young leaves is a classic sign that the plant isn’t getting enough iron.

The other patterns don’t fit iron deficiency. Yellowing of older leaves suggests a mobile nutrient issue (nutrients like nitrogen or magnesium move within the plant and show up first in older tissue). Necrotic spots on mature leaves point to other problems such as disease or different stresses, and reduced leaf size is a non-specific symptom that could be caused by various factors, not specifically iron deficiency.