Stunted growth and small yellow leaves in plants are symptoms of the deficiencies of

1. Analyze the question The question gives two symptoms: stunted growth and small yellow leaves (chlorosis). We need to find the mineral whose deficiency causes both.

2. Explain the concept Plants need mineral elements for healthy growth. Each deficiency shows a different pattern:

• Nitrogen: It is a key part of proteins, chlorophyll, and nucleic acids. Without enough of it, the plant grows slowly (stunted growth), and the leaves turn pale green or yellow and stay small. Because nitrogen is mobile in the plant, the older leaves yellow first.
• Iron: It is needed to make chlorophyll. Deficiency causes yellowing of the young leaves, but the veins often stay green. It is not typically linked to stunting.
• Sulphur: The symptoms look similar to nitrogen deficiency, but the yellowing begins on the young leaves. It is less commonly the standard textbook answer.
• Magnesium: It is the central atom of the chlorophyll molecule. Deficiency causes yellowing between the veins of older leaves (interveinal chlorosis).

3. Solution

• Stunted growth means protein synthesis and cell growth are poor, which points to a lack of nitrogen.
• Small yellow leaves mean there is too little chlorophyll and the leaves have not developed fully, which also points to nitrogen.
• Iron and magnesium cause chlorosis with particular patterns, such as interveinal yellowing, but they do not classically cause general stunting with small leaves.
• Sulphur deficiency is possible but is not the standard answer.

The best match is nitrogen.

4. Answer A. nitrogen

5. Exam tip Remember: "Nitrogen = Growth." Stunted growth plus yellowing (chlorosis) points to nitrogen. For magnesium, think "Mg = interveinal chlorosis." For iron, think "young leaves yellow."