Question

Whiptail of crucifers is due to deficiency of
A. Mo
B. Cu
C. Zn
D. P

Answer 1

Hint: Whiptail of crucifers is a disorder in plants in which the leaves turn white and there is chlorosis of margins of leaves. There is deformity in the growing point in the plant means no apical growing point in the plants.

Complete answer:
Whiptail of crucifers is a deficiency disorder in the plants that affect mainly leaves. It is caused by the deficiency of molybdenum and it affects young plants commonly. In this disease the lamina or upper half of the lamina falls off. Let’s see given options now;

> Option A: Mo here stands for molybdenum, deficiency of molybdenum causes whiptails of crucifers. It is found in trace amounts in plants and also found in food like; milk, cheese, grains, leafy vegetables, legumes etc.

> Option B: Cu stands for copper, deficiency of copper implants is found in new leaves mostly. There is cupping and chlorosis of full leaf or only the veins of leaf.

> Option C: Zn is zinc, deficiency of zinc in plants causes limited growth of the plant. It is the most widespread deficiency in plants that causes loss in crop quality as well as crop production.

> Option D: P here is phosphorus, in case when there is deficiency of phosphorus in a plant there is discoloration of the plant, there is bluish- green discoloration along with purplish discoloration in few parts of the plant.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: In whiptails of crucifers leaf blades do not develop properly and in case of severe deficiency only midrib develops and this condition is called whiptail. The most common deficiency caused by it is molybdenum. Here whiptail and blindness of broccoli and cauliflower leaves are abnormally formed having narrow, curled, disordered edges.