Which observation would most strongly suggest clover seedlings are experiencing iron deficiency?

Which observation would most strongly suggest clover seedlings are experiencing iron deficiency?

• A. Interveinal chlorosis in young leaves.
• B. Overgrowth of roots.
• C. Leaves turning purple.
• D. Excessively rapid wilting.

Answer: (A)

Iron deficiency in plants shows up most clearly as interveinal chlorosis in the newest growth. Iron is essential for chlorophyll production, but it is relatively immobile within the plant, so the first symptoms appear in young leaves. The yellowing occurs between the veins while the veins themselves stay green, making interveinal chlorosis in young leaves the strongest indicator that iron is lacking. Other signs point to different issues: root overgrowth isn’t a typical iron-deficiency symptom, purple leaves usually suggest phosphorus deficiency or other stresses, and rapid wilting indicates water stress.

Iron deficiency in plants shows up most clearly as interveinal chlorosis in the newest growth. Iron is essential for chlorophyll production, but it is relatively immobile within the plant, so the first symptoms appear in young leaves. The yellowing occurs between the veins while the veins themselves stay green, making interveinal chlorosis in young leaves the strongest indicator that iron is lacking.

Other signs point to different issues: root overgrowth isn’t a typical iron-deficiency symptom, purple leaves usually suggest phosphorus deficiency or other stresses, and rapid wilting indicates water stress.