What is a common symptom of nitrogen deficiency in plants?

A common symptom of nitrogen deficiency in plants is the yellowing of leaves, known as chlorosis, as well as stunted growth. Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient that plays a crucial role in plant growth and development. It is a key component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, and it is also found in nucleic acids, which make up the genetic material of cells. When plants are deficient in nitrogen, they are unable to produce sufficient chlorophyll, leading to the yellowing of older leaves first, as nitrogen is mobile within the plant and moves to new growth when there is a lack.

The stunted growth occurs because nitrogen is vital for the overall development of the plant, affecting both vegetative and reproductive growth. A nitrogen-deficient plant often exhibits reduced leaf size and overall dwarfism, which leads to lower photosynthetic capacity and further exacerbates the deficiency.

While other symptoms such as leaves turning red or stems becoming purple can be associated with deficiencies in other nutrients, such as phosphorus or potassium, they are not indicative of nitrogen deficiency. Therefore, the combination of yellowing leaves and stunted growth is a reliable indicator of nitrogen deficiency in plants.