Question

If there is lack of nitrogen in soil, plants turn:

• A. stunted
• B. red
• C. to become dwarfs
• D. orange

Answer 1

The correct option is A stunted

All plants require sufficient supplies of macronutrients for healthy growth, and nitrogen (N) is a nutrient that is commonly in limited supply. Nitrogen deficiency in plants can occur when organic matter with high carbon content, such as sawdust, is added to soil. Soil organisms use any nitrogen to break down carbon sources, making N unavailable to plants. This is known as "robbing" the soil of nitrogen. All vegetables apart from nitrogen fixing legumes are prone to this disorder.

Some symptoms of nitrogen deficiency (in absence or low supply) are given below:

1. The chlorophyll content of the plant leaves is reduced which results in pale yellow colour. Older leaves turn completely yellow.
2. Flowering, fruitings, protein and starch contents are reduced. Reduction in protein results in stunted growth and dormant lateral buds