Question

Mottle leaf of citrus plants is due to deficiency of
A) Boron
B) Magnesium
C) Zinc
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: It is an essential micronutrient. It plays an important role as cofactor for enzyme, growth hormone production and internode elongation in plants. It is an important element in chlorophyll production.

Complete answer:
In citrus plants, when plants do not produce a sufficient amount of chlorophyll which leads to a condition called chlorosis that is the occurrence of whitish-yellow colored leaves due to the deficiency of zinc.

Additional Information:
-Citrus plants in chlorosis show stunted yellow-colored leaves and small-sized fruit bodies.
-Chlorosis is a type of decoloration that usually affects the base of the leaf near the stem.
-Mottle leaf of citrus is due to deficiency of zinc in the soil which can be overcome by adding compost or other organic matter to the soil.
-Reduces the use of high phosphorus fertilizers because they reduce the amount of zinc available to the plants.
-Zinc is one of the essential micronutrients and plays an important role in enzymes and protein.
-Zinc in plants is used for the formation of chlorophyll and some carbohydrates.
-The presence of zinc in plants helps to withstand the cold temperature.
So, the correct answer is, ‘zinc’.

Note: -The annual foliar spray that is zinc sulfate on the spring flush helps to overcome the deficiency of zinc.
-The main difference of chlorosis due to zinc deficiency begins on the lower leaves while chlorosis due to the storage of iron or manganese begins on the upper leaves.