What symptom is commonly associated with magnesium deficiency in plants?

Interveinal chlorosis is a characteristic symptom of magnesium deficiency in plants. Magnesium is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in photosynthesis and is a key component of chlorophyll. When plants lack magnesium, they are unable to maintain proper chlorophyll production, leading to yellowing that appears between the veins of the leaves while the veins themselves remain green. This is particularly noticeable in older leaves as they draw on stored magnesium resources, leaving behind the interveinal regions affected by the deficiency.

Other symptoms of nutrient deficiencies may manifest in different ways. For example, chlorosis at the leaf edges typically relates to deficiencies in other nutrients like potassium. Stunted growth can be indicative of a range of nutrient deficiencies or environmental stresses, and wilting of leaves is often associated with water stress or root problems rather than a specific nutrient deficiency. Therefore, identifying interveinal chlorosis is key to diagnosing a magnesium deficiency in plants.