Answer to Question #171436 in Biology for Sarn

Question

Explain why the deficiency in mobile nutrients can be observed in older leaves while deficiency in immobile nutrients can be observed in the younger leaves.

Answer 1

Since immobile elements do not move within the plant, the deficiency symptoms associated with the lack of these elements occur in younger leaves. However,  mobile nutrients can move out of older leaves to younger parts of the plant if supplies are inadequate. Because of their mobility inside the plant, visual deficiencies will first occur in the older leaves.