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What is meant by a mobile vs. immobile nutrient in plants?

  • A Mobile nutrients tend to be absorbed from the surrounding soil at a somewhat faster physical rate in typical laboratory settings
  • B Mobile nutrients are redistributed from older to younger leaves during deficiency; immobile nutrients remain in older leaves
  • C Immobile nutrients are largely excluded from readily entering the plant body once absorbed under usual circumstances according to most researchers
  • D Mobile nutrients are mostly restricted to the broad category of macronutrients like N and K in the majority of cases studied

Correct answer: B. Mobile nutrients are redistributed from older to younger leaves during deficiency; immobile nutrients remain in older leaves

Explanation: Mobile nutrients (N, P, K, Mg) are retranslocated from older to younger tissues during deficiency; deficiency symptoms appear first in OLD leaves. Immobile nutrients (Ca, Fe, B, Cu) cannot be moved; deficiency symptoms appear in YOUNG leaves first.

Concept context

Essential mineral elements, their roles and deficiency symptoms. Nitrogen fixation and soil nutrition.

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