Iron deficiency in leaves typically causes what symptom, starting on new growth?

• A. Stunted growth with brown tips on old leaves.
• B. Leaf drop across the plant.
• C. Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between veins) on young leaves.
• D. Uniform dark green leaves.

Answer: (C)

Iron is essential for chlorophyll production and is relatively immobile in the plant, so deficiency shows up first in new growth. When iron is lacking, the chlorophyll in young leaves can’t form properly, causing the tissue between the veins to turn yellow while the veins themselves remain green. This interveinal chlorosis on new leaves is the telltale sign of iron deficiency. Older leaves often stay green longer because iron isn’t easily moved from old tissue to new growth, so symptoms appear in the newest leaves first. Other patterns, like brown tips on old leaves or uniform dark green leaves, point to different issues rather than iron deficiency. To address it, adjust soil pH to improve iron availability and consider iron sources such as chelated iron if needed.