Question

Name two plant nutrients whose deficiency is first seen in young growing parts of plants.

Hint:

Note: Mobile nutrients like nitrogen show deficiency in older leaves first, but immobile ones like calcium affect new growth.

Answer 1

Young, actively growing plant parts often display the first signs of certain nutrient deficiencies because these elements cannot move within the plant. Calcium and Sulphur are two critical plant nutrients that fall into this category.
Calcium plays a vital role in the construction of cell walls and the development of root and shoot tips.
When calcium is lacking, plants may exhibit stunted growth, the death of growing points, and problems such as blossom end rot in tomatoes.
Sulphur is necessary for the synthesis of proteins and the formation of chlorophyll.
A deficiency in sulphur typically manifests as yellowing or chlorosis of young leaves, while older leaves may retain their green color.
Because these nutrients are not readily transported from older to newer tissues, their deficiency symptoms are first observed in the plant's young parts.