Kentucky Certified Crop Advisor Practice Exam

In cases where a nutrient is relatively immobile within the plant, symptoms of deficiency typically appear in the newly emerging leaves and buds. This is because immobile nutrients cannot be easily translocated from older, mature tissues to newer growth. As a result, when a plant is deficient in a nutrient that is immobile, the newer growth is the first to exhibit symptoms such as discoloration or stunted development.

In contrast, mobile nutrients are often moved from older tissues to support new growth when there is a deficiency, which is why symptoms may appear first in older leaves in those cases. Recognizing that immobile nutrients are retained in the plant's older structures helps clarify why new growth is affected first when there is a deficit. This understanding is essential for diagnosing nutrient deficiencies accurately and addressing them effectively in crop management.