- A Interveinal chlorosis appearing first in the youngest leaves
- B Little leaf disease (shortened internodes, small malformed leaves)
- C Purple coloration spreading across mature leaf surfaces
- D Scorching and browning along the tips of older leaves
Correct answer: B. Little leaf disease (shortened internodes, small malformed leaves)
Explanation: Zinc deficiency causes 'little leaf' or 'rosette' disease - very short internodes and small, narrow, chlorotic leaves that cluster. Zinc is needed for synthesis of auxin (IAA) and for several enzymes. Common in maize and rice.
Concept context
Essential mineral elements, their roles and deficiency symptoms. Nitrogen fixation and soil nutrition.