Zinc deficiency commonly causes which symptom?

• A. New leaf chlorosis
• B. Leaf curling
• C. Stunted growth with interveinal chlorosis
• D. Pale new growth

Answer: (C)

Zinc is a micronutrient essential for many enzymes and for proper production of growth signals that drive cell expansion. When zinc is deficient, plants can’t elongate tissues well, so overall growth becomes stunted. Zinc is relatively immobile within the plant, so the first trouble shows up in new growth rather than older leaves. Those young leaves often become pale or yellow between the veins while the veins stay green—a pattern called interveinal chlorosis. The combination of stunted growth and interveinal chlorosis in the new leaves is the classic sign of zinc deficiency, which is why this option best describes the symptom. Other signs like chlorosis limited to new leaves or leaf curling can occur with different issues and don’t pin down zinc in the same reliable way.