Magnesium deficiency commonly presents as what symptom?

• A. New leaf chlorosis
• B. Soft tissue becoming brittle
• C. Blossom-end rot
• D. Interveinal chlorosis on leaves

Answer: (D)

Magnesium is a mobile nutrient, and it is a core part of chlorophyll. When magnesium is short, the plant moves it from older leaves to support new growth. That means the first visible symptoms show up on the older leaves. The telltale sign is interveinal chlorosis—yellow between the leaf veins while the veins stay green—on those older leaves. As deficiency deepens, the yellowing can advance and tissue may become necrotic along the margins. This pattern helps distinguish magnesium deficiency from other problems: chlorosis on new leaves would suggest an immobile nutrient issue (like iron), blossom-end rot points to calcium-related fruit issues, and soft tissue brittleness isn’t the typical magnesium symptom.