Which deficiency symptom is typical of sulfur deficiency?

• A. Older leaf yellowing
• B. Stunted growth
• C. Interveinal chlorosis on young leaves
• D. Uniform light yellowing

Answer: (D)

Sulfur deficiency shows up most clearly as uniform light yellowing of the new growth. Since sulfur is required for essential compounds in developing tissues, when it’s lacking the young leaves can’t form fully pigmented, healthy tissue, so the entire leaf lightens evenly rather than showing spots or patterns.

This pattern fits the option describing uniform light yellowing because it reflects how sulfur shortage affects the newest growth broadly, not just older leaves or a specific chlorosis pattern. In contrast, yellowing of older leaves points to nitrogen deficiency, interveinal chlorosis on young leaves is more typical of iron or zinc issues, and a general yellowing that isn’t uniform or tied to new tissue wouldn’t match sulfur specifically.